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PUBLICATIONS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  BAPTIST  HISTORICAL   SOCIETY. 


EAELY  BAPTISTS  OF  YIPtGINIA. 

Third  annual  meeting  of  the  Society  at  New  York,  May  10,  1856. 

On  the  motion  of  the  Rev.  A.  D.  Gillette,  M.  A.,  Pastor  of  the  Calvary 
Baptist  Church,  New  York,  seconded  by  the  Rev.  Geoege  W.  Eaton,  D.D. 
Professor  in  Madison  University,  it  was  unanimously 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Society  be  presented  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Howell,  for  his  Address  of  this  evening,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  furnish  a 
copy  for  publication. 

W.  R.  Williams,  President, 
J.  N.  Brown,  Corresponding  Secretary. 


A  standing  resolution  of  the  Board  of  Curators,  directs  a  notice  to  be  pre- 
fixed to  all  publications  issued  by  tliem,  except  strictly  ofiBcial  documents,  that 
the  authors  of  the  respective  productions  are  alone  responsible  for  their  state- 
ments and  opinions. 


C^e  €Mk  ^^liiplbts  0f  Virginia: 


AN    ADDRESS, 


DELIVERED  IN  NEW  YOE 


AMERICAN   BAPTIST   HISTOEICAL  SOCIETY, 


MAY    10th,   1856. 


ROBT.  BOYTE  C.  HOWELL,  J).  D., 

PASTOR  OF  MAIN  STREET  (SECOND)  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 

RICHMOND,  VA. 


"Thine  own  friend,  and  thy  father's  friend,  forsake  not." — Solomox. 


PHI  LAD  E  LP  H  lA: 

PRESS     OF     THE     SOCIETY, 
No.  118    ARCH    STREET. 
1857. 


EARLY  BAPTISTS  OF  VIRGINIA. 


^Ir.  President,  Curators,  and  Gentlemen, 

OF  THE  American  Baptist  Historical  Society: — 

As  a  theme  befitting  your  third  anniversary,  you  have 
assigned  me  "  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia."  I  accept 
it  with  pleasure,  and  have  only  to  regret  my  inability,  and 
want  of  time,  to  do  ample  justice  to  their  name  and  char- 
acter. In  making  familiar  to  the  popular  mind  nearly  all 
other  subjects  connected  with  the  progress  of  "  the  Mother 
of  States,"  every  form  of  intellectual  communication, 
"  whether  history  or  novel,  song  or  oration,"  has  been 
exhausted.  In  the  department  of  Baptist  History  we  have 
"a  vintage  whose  fruit  remains  almost  untouched."  By 
Asplund  and  Leland,  Burkitt  and  Read,  Backus  and  Bene- 
dict, Semple  and  Taylor,  and  some  others,  we  have  faithful, 
but  brief,  detached,  and  imperfect  chronicles.  Writers 
unfriendly  to  their  principles,  and  disposed  to  disparage 
both  their  motives  and  labors — such  as  Jarrett  and  Burke, 
Hawks  and  White,  Alexander  and  Foote — have  referred 
to  them  somewhat  at  large  ;  but  their  statements  evince  so 
great  a  want,  both  of  respect  and  information,  and,  withal, 
are  so  distorted  by  prejudice  and  aversion,  that,  as  we  shall 
hereafter  see  more  fally,  they  are  rendered  wholly  unre- 
liable. Their  works  are,  in  this  respect  at  least,  singularly 
unworthy  of  their  distinguished  authors.  The  richest 
sources,  however,  of  information  regarding  the  early  Bap- 
tists of  Virginia,  remain  as  yet  entirely  unexplored.     They 


EARLY    BAPTISTS 


may  be  found  in  the  records  of  the  Courts  of  the  several 
counties,  before  which  they  were  arraigned  in  times  of  per- 
secution, and  by  whose  orders  they  were  fined,  and  scourged, 
and  imprisoned.  And  subsequently,  in  their  memorials,  and 
other  addresses  to  the  Convention,  and  to  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  State,  which  were  continued  from  1774  until 
1799  ;  the  several  complimentary  answers  returned  to  them 
by  these  bodies ;  the  journals  of  the  Convention,  and  of 
the  Legislature  ;  the  laws,  with  their  history,  of  the  Colony 
and  of  the  State,  as  contained  in  Hening's  Statutes  at 
Large,  the  Revised  Laws  of  Virginia,  and  the  Code  of 
Virginia ;  the  works  of  Thomas  Jefferson ;  their  several 
memorials  to  Congress;  and  their  coiTespondence  with 
Washington  and  with  Jefferson,  during  the  period  that  those 
gentlemen  occupied  the  chair  of  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  responses  returned  by  those  distinguished 
statesmen.  From  these  all,  may  be  learned  important  and 
useful  lessons.  They  will  aid  in  furnishing  materials  for  a 
future  full  and  faithful  history,  with  which,  I  trust,  some 
Baptist  Bancroft,  Irving,  or  Prescott,  will,  ere  long,  favor 
the  American  people. 

For  a  century  past,  Virginia  has  been  a  prolific  fountain, 
from  which  has  poured  forth  a  perpetual  stream  of  emigra- 
tion into  other  quarters,  and  especially  into  the  States  of 
the  South  and  West.  This  drain  has  been  constant  and 
excessive.  It  has  carried  away  multitudes  of  Baptists.  At 
one  period,  nearly  half  of  all  their  numbers,  ministers  and 
people,  were  poured  into  Kentucky  alone.  Still  a  hundred 
thousand  of  her  citizens  are,  to-day,  communicants  in  our 
churches!  Nor  do  they  compose  the  least  influential  or 
inactive  portion  of  her  population.  Their  ardent  Christian 
character,  and  their  enlarged  and  liberal  public  spirit,  are 
sufficiently  attested  by  the  Colleges,  male  and  female,  reared 
by  their  munificence,  and  under  their  guidance ;  their  mis- 
sionary, and  other   benevolent   organizations ;    and  their 


OF    VIRGINIA.  7 

various  similar  appliances  for  the  elevation  of  society,  for 
the  honor  and  advancement  of  religion,  and  for  the  salvation 
of  men.  In  no  sense  will  they,  I  flatter  myself,  suffer  by  a 
comparison  with  any  other  denomination  of  Christians 
whatever.  Who  can  look  upon  all  this,  and  much  more 
that  will  appear  in  the  progress  of  this  discourse,  and  not 
feel  an  earnest  desire  to  become  better  acquainted  with  the 
men  whose  labors  have  been  croAvned  with  results  so  glo- 
rious? Who  can  look  upon  their  immense  and  daily 
thickening  hosts,  and  not  wish  to  trace  the  beginning  and 
early  progress,  in  "the  Ancient  Dominion,"  oi ininciples  now 
so  majestically  triumphant  ]  Why  have  our  Virginia  fathers 
remained  so  long;  why  should  they  continue;  without  any 
suitable  memorial  of  their  exalted  position,  their  noble  sac- 
rifices, their  indomitable  zeal,  their  extraordinary  and 
successful  labors  %  I  rejoice  that  they  are  now  at  length 
beginning  to  attract,  to  a  much  greater  extent  than  hereto- 
fore, the  attention  of  the  Christian  world.  When  faithfully 
recorded,  their  history  will  afford  another  eminent  illustra- 
tion of  the  power  of  simple  gospel  truth,  over  the  hearts  of 
men  ;  its  sufficiency,  when  left  to  its  own  influence,  to 
sweep  away  venerable  errors,  however  deep-seated  and 
inveterate ;  and  the  readiness  with  which  it  moulds  both 
ecclesiastical,  and  civil  governments,  upon  the  true  princi- 
ples of  justice  and  freedom.  It  is  rich  in  its  incidents,  and 
thrilling  in  all  the  events  which  mark  its  progress.  Its 
record  would  fill  worthily  ample  volumes.  How,  then,  can 
I  hope  to  present  it,  in  one  brief  address,  satisfactorily 
before  this  learned  and  critical  society'?  The  proprieties 
of  the  occasion  admonish  me  that  I  must  select  such  alone 
of  its  bearings — and  they  must  be  very  few — as  are  most 
important;  and  examine  them  so  far  only  as  may  be  neces- 
sary to  bring  them  forth  into  the  full  relief  of  truth.  I 
may,  perhaps,  properly  consider  to  what  extent  the  Baptist 
element  was  found  existing  among  the  early  colonists  of 


Q  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

Virginia ;  the  time  and  circumstances  under  which  their 
principles  were  here  embodied  in  visible  churches ;  the  sub- 
sequent extraordinary  progress  of  these  principles  among 
the  people ;  the  causes  of  their  unprecedented  advance- 
ment ;  the  controversies  that  prevailed  among  them,  with 
the  harmony,  doctrinal  and  practical,  at  which  they  at 
length  arrived;  their  influence  in  the  formation  of  the 
government  of  the  State ;  and  the  position  of  their  minis- 
ters and  people  in  the  Commonwealth,  intellectual,  moral 
and  social.  The  period  within  which  I  shall  confine  myself 
is  that  which  commences  with  the  settlement  of  James- 
town, in  1607,  and  closes  with  the  termination  of  the  last 
century. 

I.  To  what  extent  did  the  Baptist  element  exist  among 
the  early  colonists  of  Virginia  1 

The  impression  prevails  that  it  was  not  at  all  apparent 
until  about  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Church  at 
Burleigh,  in  1714.  That  there  were  no  organised  Churches 
is  certainly  true.  The  laws  were  of  such  severity,  and  the 
malignant  vigilance  with  which  every  overt  departure  from 
the  established  religion  was  watched,  and  suppressed,  made 
their  formation  simply  impracticable.  The  government  of 
Massachusetts  satisfied  itself  with  perpetually  harassing, 
punishing,  and  distressing  them.  All  this  Baptists  can 
brave,  and  did  brave.  Virginia  went  much  further.  The 
miseries  she  inflicted  fell  little  short  of  the  Roman  Inqui- 
sition itself.  Still  the  Baptist  element  was  found  largely 
prevailing  among  the  people,  and  gradually  developing 
itself,  and  increasing,  until  at  last  it  broke  forth  in  all  the 
beauty,  and  majesty  of  the  morning  sun.  The  proofs  of 
these  facts  are  at  hand,  and  although  entirely  circum- 
stantial, are  nevertheless  perfectly  satisfactory.  The  testi- 
monies upon  which  I  rely,  are  drawn,  mainly,  from  the 
religious  condition  of  Europe  with  reference  to  our  prin- 
ciples, from  which  the  colonists  came,  and  of  course  brought 


OF    VIRGINIA.  9 

with  them  their  pecuhar  sentiments,  for  some  time  pre- 
vious and  during  this  period ;  and  from  the  history,  and 
hiws  of  the  commonwealth  itself. 

That  Baptist  principles  prevailed  to  a  considerable  extent 
in  the  "  Old  World"  generally,  and  in  England  particularly, 
and  especially  among  that  class  of  persons  most  likely  to 
form  the  masses  of  immigration,  is  well  known.  It  is  also 
equally  well  known,  that  these  principles  were  then  de- 
nounced by  ail  denominations,  and  by  every  government  in 
Europe,  as  "blasphemy  against  God,"  and  "treason  against 
the  state."  Those,  therefore,  of  whatever  position  in 
society,  who  dared  to  profess,  or  to  practise  them,  were 
at  once  proscribed  as  infamous,  j^laced  without  the  protec- 
tion of  the  laws,  and  with  fire,  and  sword,  hunted  relent- 
lessly from  the  world.  That  these  principles  may  be 
distinctly  before  our  minds,  let  them  here  be  briefly  stated. 
And  this  is  the  more  necessary  since  in  modern  times,  and 
especially  in  this  country,  where  so  many  of  them  have 
been  embraced  by  other  denominations,  they  are  not  so 
readily  recognised  as  peculiarly  Baptist.  The  supposition 
is  not  uncommon  in  our  day,  that  Baptists  depart,  and  have 
always  heretofore  departed,  from  other  evangelical  Chris- 
tians, mainly,  if  not  exclusively,  in  their  opinions  as  to  the 
subjects,  and  mode  of  baptism.  On  these  topics  we  do 
indeed,  stand  alone.  They  form  however,  a  very  small, 
and  by  no  means  the  most  important  part  of  our  peculiari- 
ties. Our  distinctive  doctrines  may  be  set  forth  synop- 
tically  thus: — The  Bible,  and  the  Bible  alone,  is  our 
rule  of  faith,  and  obedience ;  regeneration,  and  sanctifica- 
tion,  are  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  heart  of 
the  believer;  justification  is  exclusively  by  the  grace 
of  God,  through  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  holy 
living  is  the  only  conclusive  proof  of  true  discipleship  ; 
membership  in  the  churches,  is  confined  strictly  to  the 
professedly  regenerate  ;  the  government  of  each  church,  is 


10  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

wholly  within  the  church  itself;  the  sacraments  are  always 
declaratory  of  the  faith  of  the  recipient ;  the  Church  and 
the  State  are  entirely  separate,  and  neither  can  legislate 
for  the  other ;  perfect  freedom  of  conscience,  and  of  worship, 
is  an  inalienable  right  of  every  man ;   and  every  man  is 
entitled  to  full,  and  equal  protection  by  the  government 
under  which  he  lives,  in  the  exercise  of  all  his  privileges, 
social,  political   and   religious.     These   constitute,   as   we 
believe,  the  grand  outlines  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.     For 
them  no  others  can  be  substituted.     Not  one  of  them  can 
be  removed  without  irreparable  injury.     They  bear,  as  a 
whole,  the  stamp  and  seal  of  the  Almighty  God.     He  who 
embraces  them  is  necessarily  a  Baptist.     They  constitute 
the  sum  of  the  primitive  faith,  and  have  in  every  age,  and 
country,  been   maintained  with  the  life  blood  of  many  a 
sainted  martyr.      No  church,  whatever   it   may  be,  that 
departs  from  any  of  them,  can  long   remain  evangelical. 
No  State  that  is  not  governed  by  them,  can  ever  be  free. 
And  what  denomination  of  Christians,  up  to  the  time  of 
which  I  now  speak,  concurred  with  us  in  these  doctrines "? 
The  Lutheran,  the  Calvinist,   and   English   Church,  and 
some  minor  sects  under  their  influence  embrace  them  in 
part.      They   admitted   in   theory,  the    sufficiency   of  the 
Scriptures,  as  a  rule  of  faith  and  obedience ;  they  attributed 
regeneration  to  the  Holy  Spirit,  but  professedly  conveyed 
it  through  the  administration  of  the  sacraments ;  and  they 
taught  justification  by  faith  alone.     In  all  other  respects 
our  doctrines,  and  those  especially  which  guard  the  purity 
of  membership,  and  a  scriptural  polity  in  the  churches, 
their  separation   from    the   civil   government,  freedom  of 
conscience   and   worship,  and  the  right  of  every  citizen, 
whatever  may  be  his  religion,  to  the  full  and  equal  protec- 
tion of  the  State,  in  all  his  privileges,  political,  social  and 
religious,  were  no  less  offensive  to  them  all,  Protestants  as 
they  were,  than  to  the  most  decided  Papists.     Such  are 


OF    VIRGINIA.  11 

Baptist  doctrines  as  they  were  then,  and  are  now,  under- 
stood in  Europe,  and  as  they  have  been  maintained  by 
their  advocates  in  all  ages. 

The  presence  of  Baptists  in  England,  in  no  very  small 
numbers,  and  from  the  earliest  times,  will,  I  presume,  be 
questioned  by  no  one  familiar  with  the  religious  history  of 
the  land  of  our  fathers.     Let  us  consider  more  fully,  the 
feelings  exercised  towards  them  by  the  government,  and 
their  fellow  citizens    of  other  churches.     Who   does  not 
know,  that  by  both,  they  were  hunted,  and  destroyed  with 
the    utmost   vigilance  1      These   facts    are  placed  beyond 
dispute,  by  Fuller,   and  Milner,   Mosheim,  and  Neander, 
as  well  as  by  Ivimey,  and  Anderson,  and  Neal,  and  Under- 
hill.      As    the   period   of  the   settlement   of    Jamestown 
approached,  their  numbers  midtiplied,  and  churches  were 
springing  up  in  the  capital,  and  throughout  the  country.- 
The  distinguished  President  of  the  Council  of  Trent,  said 
of  them,  "If  you   behold   their  cheerfidness   in   suffering 
persecution,  the  Anabaptists  run  before  all  other  heretics. 
If  you  will  have  regard  to  their  number,  it  is  like  that  in 
multitude  they  would  swarm  above  all  others,  if  they  were 
not  grievously  plagued,  and  cut  off  with  the  knife  of  ^ev^ 
secution.     If  you  have  an  eye  to  the  outward  appearance 
of  Godliness,  both  the    Lutherans,  and  Zuinglians,  must 
needs  grant  that  they  far  pass  them."*     The  Papists  and 
Protestants  destroyed  each  other,  in  every  possible  manner. 
Never  were  enemies  more  bitter,  or  uncompromising.     In 
but  one  thing  only  was  it  possible  for  them  to  agree,  and 
that  was  the  persecution  of  Baptists.     Here  they  harmo- 
nised perfectly,  and  it  is  remarkable  that  in  several  of  their 
treaties,  as  recorded  by  Dr.  Merle  D'Aubigne,  special  articles 
were  inserted,  binding  both  parties  to  use  every  possible  effort 
to  destroy  all  the  Baptists  in  Europe,  "  Accordingly,"  says 
that  distinguished  annalist,  "  Luther,  on  his  retiu'n  from 

*  Struggles  and  Triumphs  of  Religious  Liberty,  pp.  88,  89. 


12  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

Wittenburg,  extinguished  in  Germany,  the  fanaticism  of 
the  Anabaptists."*  How  he  did  this,  is  for  his  own  fame, 
but  too  well  remembered,  by  every  reader  of  the  history  of 
those  times.  Nor  were  he,  and  his  friends,  content  to 
"  extinguish"  them  in  their  own  land,  they  followed  them, 
with  cruel  hatred,  even  to  other  countries.  "  The  princes 
of  Germany,"  says  Dr.  Cox,']'  "  having  discovered  by  means 
of  intercepted  letters,  a  secret  correspondence  between  the 
German  and  English  Anabaptists,  wrote  an  epistle  to 
Henry  VIII.,  containing  a  statement  of  their  pernicious 
doctrines,  and  warning  him  of  danger  likely  to  result  from 
their  fanatical  proceedings,  unless  prevented  by  a  bold  and 
timely  interference."  "  This  epistle,"  of  "  the  princes  of 
Germany,"  we  are  especially  informed,  was  advised  by 
Luther,  and  written  by  Melancthon.  It  was  their  work. 
How  attentive  Henry  was  to  its  information,  is  indicated 
by  the  convention  called  according  to'  his  command,  by 
Warham,  iVrchbishop  of  Canterbury,  in  1530,  in  which 
many  of  their  doctrines  were  formally  condemned,  and  all 
were  pronounced  "damnable  heresies."  Two  proclama- 
tions immediately  followed  for  their  suppression,  and 
prescribing  the  severest  punishments  "  against  the  malicious 
sects  of  heretics,  who  by  perversion  of  Holy  Scripture,  do 
induce  erroneous  opinions,  sow  dissension  among  Christian 
people,  and  finally  disturb  the  peace  and  tranquillity  of 
Christian  realms,  as  lately  happened  in  some  parts  of 
Germany."^  And  that  Henry's  successors  were  as  vigilant 
as  he  was,  the  prisons  of  the  "  United  Kingdom,"  and  the 
"  fires  of  Smithfield,"  bear  the  amplest  testimony.  The 
doctrines  of  Calvin  on  this  subject  are  well  known.  He 
expressed  himself  fully,  and  evinced  his  doctrine  by  the 
apprehension  at  Geneva,  of  Servetus,  and  his  martyrdom  at 
the  stake.     Justly  has  Bayle  said,  "  Not  a  reformer  of  any 

*  Histy.  Ref.,  Vol.  III.,  p.  305.  t  Life  of  Melancthon,  p.  218. 

X  Struggles  and  Triumphs,  p.  92. 


OF    VIRGINIA.  13 

eminence  can  be  named,  who  did  not  take  part  in  this 
crusade  [against  the  Baptist,]  Luther,  Melancthon,  Zuingle, 
Bucer,   Bullinger,  Calvin,  and   others    abroad;    at  home, 
Cranmer,  Latimer,  Ridley,  Barnes,  Philpot,  Becon,  Turner, 
and   many  more."*      Our   suffering   brethren,  under  the 
reign  of  Elizabeth,  in  an  essay  to  defend  themselves  against 
their  implacable  foes,  published  a  treatise,  in  which  they 
ventured    to   protest   against   persecution    for   conscience 
sake.     They  averred  that  according  to  the  word  of  God, 
"  Christ   is  the  supreme  head  of  His  church ;   that   the 
Queen   had  no  right  to  frame  ecclesiastical  government, 
nor  to  appoint  ministers  of  religion ;  that  the  church  ought 
to  be  composed  of  believers  only;  and  that  the  baptism  of 
infants  is  unlawful."    These  annunciations  containing  truths 
so  palpable  to  us,  shocked  all  ptarties  of  Pedobaptists,  insuffer- 
ably !     John  Knox  himself,  the  father  of  British  Presby- 
terians, responded  in  a  work  entitled  "An  answer  to  a 
great   number  of  cavilations,  written   by  an   Anabaptist 
Adversary."     This  great  man  closes  his  book  by  thus  ad- 
dressing his  antagonist :  "  It  is  my  full  purpose  to  lay  the 
same  to  thy  charge,  if  I  shall  apprehend  thee  in  any  com- 
monwealth, where   justice    against   blasphemers   may   be 
administered  according  to  God's  word." 

Nor  was  the  temper  of  the  English  Bishops  more  tole- 
rant towards  us,  than  that  of  the  Scotch  Presbyters.  Many 
a  time  have  we,  in  our  childhood,  been  moved  to  tears  by 
a  recital  of  the  sufferings  of  Cranmer,  Ridley  and  Rogers, 
who  fell  in  Mary's  reign,  martyrs,  under  the  hands  of  the 
Papists.  Had  these  very  men  ever  dragged  Baptists  to  the 
stake,  before  they  themselves  suffered  a  like  punishment '? 
Neal's  History  of  the  Puritans  details  to  us  many  melan- 
choly transactions.f  The  formidable  multiplication  of 
Baptists,  and   the   popularity   with   the   masses  of   their 

*  Diet.  Art.  Anab  ,  Note  B. 

t  Vide  Cboules'  edition,  N.  Y.,  Vol.  2,  pp.  3.53-3S0. 


14  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

peculiar  principles,  induced  the  government  to  enact  laws 
commanding  a  careful  search  after  them,  that  they  might,  if 
possible,  be  exterminated.  A  "commission"  was  named 
for  this  purpose,  at  the  head  of  whom  stood  Cranmer  and 
Ridley,  who  executed  their  bloody  office,  not  only  without 
relentings,  but  with  singular  ferocity.  Take  a  single 
example.  Joan  of  Kent,  a  distinguished  lady,  was  the  first 
Baptist  apprehended.  With  very  little  ceremony  or  delay, 
she  was  condemned  to  be  burned  alive  at  the  stake.  The 
deed  could  not  be  consummated  until  the  death-warrant  had 
received  the  approval  of  the  king.  Young  James  refused 
to  sign  it.  He  knew  her  to  be  one  of  the  best  and  most 
excellent  of  women.  Cranmer  was  deputed  to  persuade 
him  to  consent ;  and  how  earnestly  and  successfully  he  ful- 
filled his  horrid  mission,  you,  gentlemen,  know  full  well. 
"  He  argued,"  says  the  historian,  "  from  the  law  of  Moses, 
according  to  which  blasphemers  were  to  be  stoned."  He 
said,  "  There  were  impieties  against  God,  which  princes, 
being  his  deputies,  ought  to  punish,  just  as  the  king's 
deputies  were  obliged  to  punish  offences  against  the  king's 
person."  "  The  young  king,"  says  Burnett,*  "  was  rather 
silenced  than  convinced.  He  set  his  hand  to  the  warrant 
with  tears  in  his  eyes,  telling  Cranmer,  that  if  he  did  wrong, 
as  it  was  done  in  submission  to  his  authority,  he  [the  Arch- 
bishop] should  answer  for  it  to  God."  And  most  sternly, 
and  soon,  did  God  call  him  to  answer.  Nor  was  Rogers 
much  less  implicated  in  this  very  case.  A  distinguished 
gentleman,  shocked  by  the  cruelty  about  to  be  inflicted 
upon  "  an  illustrious  female,"  went  to  Rogers,  and  besought 
him  to  exert  his  influence  to  save  her ;  or  at  least  to  procure 
for  her  a  less  dreadful  death.  Rogers,  we  are  told,  evinced 
much  indifference,  and  coolly  said,  "  She  ought  to  be  put  to 
death  ;"  and  added,  "  Burning  alive  is  not  a  cruel  death ; 
but    easy   enough!"      On    hearing    these    words,   which 

*  Hist.  Ref.,  Vol.  2,  p.  110. 


OF    VIRGINIA.  IS' 

expressed  so  little  regard  for  the  sufferings  of  others,  his 
friend  replied,  with  great  vehemence,  at  the  same  time 
striking  Rogers'  hand,  which  he  had  before  grasped  firmly, 
"  Well ;  perhaps  it  may  so  happen  that  you  yourselves  will 
one  day  have  your  hands  full  of  this  mild  burning."  And 
so,  indeed,  in  the  providence  of  God,  it  did  happen.  These 
men  died  no  more  unjustly,  nor  cruelly,  than  did  the  Bap- 
tist victims  they  had  themselves  so  relentlessly  destroyed. 

In  the  days  of  which  I  now  speak,  to  believe  that  mem- 
bership in  the  church  is  confined  strictly  to  the  professedly 
regenerate  ;  that  the  government  of  each  church  is  wholly 
within  the  church  itself;  that  the  sacraments  are  always 
declaratory  of  the  faith  of  the  recipient ;  that  the  church 
and  the  state  are  wholly  separate  organisations,  and  that 
neither  can  legislate  for  the  other ;  that  perfect  freedom  of 
conscience,  and  worship,  are  inalienable  rights  of  all  men ; 
and  that  every  citizen  is  entitled  to  full  and  equal  protec- 
tion by  the  government  under  which  he  lives,  in  the  exer- 
cise of  all  his  privileges,  social,  political,  and  rehgious  ; 
were  horrid  blasphemy,  revolting  impiety,  rebellion  against 
kings,  and  treason  against  government,  to  exterminate 
which  with  fire  and  sword,  the  Presbyterians  of  Scotland, 
and  the  Lutherans  of  Germany,  were  most  anxious  to 
co-operate  with  ttie  Episcopalians  of  England,  and  the 
Papists  every  where. 

Underbill,  with  equal  eloquence  and  truth,  remarks : — 
"  The  Papists  abhorred  them  ;  for  if  this  heresy  prevailed, 
a  church  hoary  with  age,  laden  wdth  the  spoils  of  many 
lands,  rich  in  the  merchandise  of  souls,  must  be  broken 
down  and  destroyed.  The  Protestants  hated  them ;  for 
their  cherished  headship,  their  worldly  alliances,  the  pomps 
and  circumstances  of  state  religion,  must  be  debased  before 
the  kingly  crown  of  Jesus.  The  Puritans  defamed  them ; 
for  Baptist  sentiments  were  too  liberal,  and  free,  for  those 
who  sought  a  papal  authority  over  conscience,  and  desired 


16  EAKLT    BAPTISTS 

the  sword  of  the  higher  powers  to  enforce  their  '  Holy  dis- 
cipline.' "  "  The  Baptists  were  from  the  beginning,"  as 
Locke  has  truly  said,  "  the  friends  and  advocates  of  abso- 
lute liberty;  just  and  true  liberty;  equal  and  impartial 
liberty."* 

In  these  facts  we  have  a  rapid  sketch  of  the  religious 
condition  of  Europe,  with  reference  to  Baptist  doctrines,  at 
the  time,  and  for  some  time  previous,  and  afterwards,  of  the 
planting  of  the  colony  at  Jamestown.  Two  hundred  and 
fifty  years  have  produced  great  and  favorable  changes, 
even  in  the  Old  World,  with  the  light  of  the  West,  and 
especially  of  the  nineteenth  century,  pouring  upon  them. 
Bancroft,  who  cherishes  no  sympathy  with  their  religion, 
and  who  erroneously  imagines  that  they  sprang  up  with 
the  great  christian  leaders  of  that  age,  eloquently  says  of 
the  German  Baptists,  from  whom  their  English  brethren 
did  not  differ,  "  With  greater  consistency  than  Luther,  they 
applied  the  doctrines  of  the  reformation  to  the  social  posi- 
tions of  life,  and  threatened  an  end  to  priestcraft,  and  king- 
craft, spiritual  domination,  tithes  and  vassalage.  The 
party,"  he  adds,  "  was  trodden  under  foot,  with  foul 
reproaches  ;  most  arrogant  scorn  ;  and  its  history  is  written 
in  the  blood  of  myriads  of  the  German  peasantry ;  but  its 
principles  secure  in  their  immortality,  escaped  with  Roger 
Williams,  to  Providence,  and  his  colony,  to  witness  that 
naturally,  the  paths  of  the  Baptists  are  paths  of  freedom, 
of  pleasantness,  and  peace."f 

Then,  however,  no  refuge  offered  itself;  no  place  was 
safe  from  persecution,  and  death.  The  New  World  was 
opened,  and  thither  fled  the  pursiied  and  harassed  of  all 
classes.  Baptists  flocked,  as  is  well  known,  in  crowds,  to 
Massachusetts,  to  Rhode  Island,  to  Pennsylvania,  to  the 
Carolinas.  Did  none  of  them  find  their  way  to  the  deep 
forests,  and  secluded  valleys,  of  the  oldest  of  all  the  colo- 

*  Struggles  and  Triumphs,  p.  201.  t  Hist.  U.  S.,  Yol.  2,  p.  47. 


0  F    V  I  R  G  I  N  I  A.  17 

nies,  Virginia '?  If  not,  how  do  you  account  for  a  fact  so 
extraordinary  1  This  would  have  been  strange  indeed, 
and  especially  as  Virginia  was  settled  by  a  London  com- 
pany, and  there  were  in  1643,  known  to  be  seven  churches 
in  that  one  city;  and  in  1689,  we  have  the  records  of  a 
meeting  there,  in  which  the  messengers  of  upwards  of  a 
hundred  churches  assembled  to  consult  upon  important 
subjects  connected  with  the  advancement  of  the  kingdom 
of  Christ.*  But  we  are  not  left  wholly  to  conjecture  in 
this  matter,  Graham  in  his  history  of  the  United  States, 
speaks  of  "  Puritans,"  as  residing  in  Virginia.f  Why  may 
not  Baptists  also  have  been  there  1  It  is  well  known  that 
on  the  restoration  of  Charles  II.,  great  numbers  of  the 
veteran  soldiers  of  Cromwell,  escaped  to  Virginia.  It  is 
equally  well  known  that  not  a  few  of  these  soldiers  were 
Baptists.  Who  were  those  of  whom  Dr.  Hawks  tells  us, 
upon  his  own  authority,  that  "  Their  assemblages  [in  1680] 
there  is  reason  to  believe,  were  perverted  from  religious  to 
treasonable  purposes ;"  that  "  they  concocted  among  the 
sectaries  of  their  creed,  the  subversion  of  the  government  ;^'' 
four  of  whom,  at  least,  were  vilely  hung,  as  a  warning  to 
the  remainder  1%  These  charges  against  them,  have  a 
most  significant  resemblance  to  those  so  often  alleged 
against  the  Baptists  in  Europe,  who,  because  they  con- 
demned the  union  of  church  and  state,  and  contended  for 
full  religious  liberty,  were  denounced  as  rebels,  condemned 
as  felons,  and  publicly  executed  as  traitors  to  their  country. 
Weigh  attentively,  all  these  facts,  and  you  wdll  find  in 
them,  testimony  of  no  feeble  character,  that  from  its  very 
beginning,  the  Baptist  element  pervaded  the  colony  of 
V  irginia.  '*VMl 

We  are  now  prepared  to  turn  to  the  colony  itself,  and 
by  a  careful  examination  of  its  proceedings,  shall  ascertain 

*  Vide  Phila.  Confession  of  Faith.  t  Vol.  1,  p.  219. 

X  History  of  Episcopacy  in  Va.,  pp.  71,  72. 

2 


18  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

why  Baptists  principles  remained  so  long  in  the  Common- 
wealth unemboclied  in  churches. 

The  men  of  Virginia,  were  of  a  class  altogether  different 
from  those  of  Plymouth ;  not  in  intelligence,  virtue,  and 
enterprise  ;  but  in  habits,  tastes,  and  religion.  The  colony 
of  the  norths  were  inveterate  Independents,  of  the  Crom- 
wellian  school.  Some  of  them  before  they  crossed  the 
Atlantic,  had  fled  from  England,  and,  for  years,  resided  in 
Holland.  The  colony  of  the  souths  were  Cavaliers,  of  a 
softer  disposition,  polished,  courtly,  proud,  and  loyal  in  the 
highest  degree  ;  not  less  religious,  nor  intolerant  than  their 
neighbors ;  but  less  austere  in  their  manners,  and  general 
deportment.  The  men  of  the  norths  abjured  the  Church  of 
England,  and  from  her  tyranny  had  with  difficulty  escaped. 
The  men  of  the  souths  loved  that  church,  brought  it  with 
them  to  their  western  home,  and  cherished,  and  guarded  it 
with  an  undying  reverence.  Their  schools  only  shared  with 
their  church  an  equal  solicitude,  as  is  evinced  by  their 
ample  provision  for  the  University  of  Henrico,  the  Free 
Academy  of  Charles  City,  and  the  College  of  William  and 
Mary.  I  came  here,  however,  to  speak  to  you  of  the 
church,  not  of  education ;  and  I  shall,  perhaps,  best  present 
their  carefulness  of  its  interests,  by  referring  to  some  of  the 
laws  by  which  they  essayed  to  give  it  power  and  support. 

The  organic  law,  on  the  subject  of  religion,  is  contained 
in  the  charter  of  the  colony,  by  James  I.,  and  dated  April 
10th,  1606,  as  follows: — "We  do  specially  ordain,  charge, 
and  require,  the  said  Presidents  and  Councils,  and  the 
ministers  of  the  said  several  colonies  respectively,  [First 
and  Second  of  Virginia]  within  their  several  limits  and 
precincts,  that  they,  with  all  diligence,  care,  and  respect,  do 
provide  that  the  true  word  and  service  of  God,  and  christian 
faith,  be  preached,  planted,  and  used,  not  only  within  every 
of  the  said  several  colonics  and  plantations,  but  also  as 
much  as  they  may,  among  the  savage  people  which  do,  or 


IN    VIRGINIA.  19 

shall  adjoin  unto  them,  or  border  upon  them,  according 
to   the  doctrines,  rites,  and    religion,    now  professed  and 
established,  within  our  realm  of  England,  and  that  they 
shall  not  suffer  any  person,  or  persons,  to  withdraw  any  of 
the  subjects,  or  people,  inhabiting,  or  who  shall  inhabit, 
within  any  of  the  said  several   colonies,   and  plantations, 
from  the  same,  or  from  their  due  allegiance  unto  us,  our 
heirs,  and  successors,  as  their  immediate  sovereign   under 
God  ;  and  if  they  shall  find  within  any  of  the  said  colonies, 
and  plantations,  any  person,  or  persons,  so  seeking  to  with- 
draw any  of  the  subjects  of  us,  our  heirs,  or  successors,  or 
any  of  the  people  of  those  lands,  or  territories,  within  the 
precincts  aforesaid,  they  shall,  with   all  diligence,  him,  or 
them  so  offending,  cause  to  be  apprehended,  arrested,  and 
imprisoned,  until  he  shall  fully  and  thoroughly  reform  him- 
self, or  otherwise  when  the  cause  so  requireth,  that  he  shall 
with    all    convenient    speed,  be    sent   into    our   realm    of 
England,  here   to  receive  condign  punishment,  for  his,  or 
their  said  offence,  or  offences."*     With  this  platform  upon 
which  to  proceed,  the  details  of  Ecclesiastical  Law  during 
the  first  fifteen  or  twenty  years  of  the  colony,  emanated 
exclusively  from  its  Governors  for  the  time  being.    Among 
the  earliest,  we  have  the  Code  of  Sir  Thomas  Dale,  promul- 
gated  in   1611,  in  which  we  have    the   following  enact- 
ments : — "  There  is  not  one  man,  nor  woman  in  this  colony 
now  present,  nor  hereafter  to  arrive,  but  shall  give  up  an 
account  of  his,  and  their  faith,   and    religion,  and  repair 
unto  the  minister,  that  by  his  conference  with  them,  he 
may  understand  and  gather  whether  heretofore,  they  have 
been  sufficiently  instructed,  and  catechised  in  the  principles 
and  grounds  of  religion ;  whose  weakness  and  ignorance,  the 
minister  finding,  and  advising  them  in  love,  and  charity,  to 
repair  often  unto  him,  to  receive  therein  a  greater  measure 
of  knowledge ;  if  they  shall  refuse  to  repair  unto  him,  and  he, 

*  Hening's  Statutes  at  Large,  Yol.  I.,  pp.  68,  69, 


20  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

the  minister,  give  notice  thereof,  unto  the  governor,  or  the 
chief  officer  of  that  town,  or  fort,  wherein  he,  or  she,  the 
parties  so  offending,  shall  remain,  the  governor  shall  cause 
the  offender,  for  the  first  time  of  refusal,  to  be  whipped ; 
for  the  second  time,  to  be  whipped  twice,  and  to  acknow- 
ledge his  fault  upon  the  Sabbath  day,  in  the  congregation ; 
and  for  the  third  time,  to  be  whipped  every  day,  until  he 
hath  made  the  same  acknowledgment,  and  asked  forgive- 
ness of  the  same,  and  shall  repair  unto  the  minister  to  be 
further  instructed  as  aforesaid ;  and  upon  the  Sabbath, 
when  the  minister  shall  catechise,  and  demand  any  question 
concerning  his  faith,  and  knowledge,  he  shall  not  refuse  to 
make  answer,  upon  the  same  peril."*  Of  this,  and  similar 
laws,  which  continued  to  be  announced  during  the  admin- 
istration of  the  London  Company,  it  is  proper  to  say,  that 
though  formally  promulgated,  they  were  almost  wholly 
inoperative,  since  neither  the  circumstances,  nor  the  temper 
of  the  people,  rendered  their  execution  practicable. 

It  was  also  the  practice  of  each  Governor,  when  he  came 
into  office,  to  introduce  his  own  code,  and  to  supersede 
that  of  his  predecessor.  And  after  the  organization  of 
"  The  Grand  Assembly,"  it  was  a  mode  of  legislation  pecu- 
liar to  those  times,  to  repeal  at  each  session,  all  former 
laws,  and  re-enact  them  in  the  very  words  in  which  they 
were  originally  passed.f  Of  this  body  Hening  says,  "  If 
we  may  judge  by  the  subject  matter  embraced  by  such  acts 
as  have  been  preserved,  the  Legislature  was  exclusively 
occupied  in  promoting  an  uniformity  to  the  doctrines,  and 
discipline  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  in  enforcing 
attendance  at  Church,  and  other  religious  exercises. ":{:  It 
was  provided  by  the  Act  of  1623,  that  in  every  plantation, 
or  settlement,  there  should  be  a  house  or  room  set  apart  for 
the  worship  of  God,"  which  worship  was  commanded,  and 

*  Laws,  &c.,  Strachey,  London,  1612. 

t  Hening's  Statutes  at  Large,  Yol.  I.,  p.  120.  X  Ibid. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  21 

required  to  be  strictly  "  in  accordance  with  the  Constitution 
and  Canons  of  the  Church  of  England."  For  these  ])laccs 
of  worship  ministers  were  provided  by  the  state,  and  their 
salaries  paid  out  of  the  public  treasury,  by  a  tax  levied 
upon  the  people  for  that  purpose."*  "  To  preserve  the 
purity  of  doctrine,  and  unity  of  the  church,"  it  was  enacted 
during  the  session  of  1643,  that  "  All  ministers  shall  be 
conformable  to  the  orders^  and  constitution  of  the  Church  of 
England ;  that  no  others  shall  be  permitted  to  iweach  or 
teach,  publicly  or  privately ;"  and  that  "  the  Governor  and 
Council  shall  take  care  that  all  nonconformists  depart  the 
colony,  with  all  conveniency."t  The  statute  of  England,  of 
3rd  James  I.,  was  at  this  session  adopted,  "  Concerning 
Popish  recusants,"  and  put  into  full  force  in  Virginia  ;  and 
in  1657,  the  severest  laws  were  adopted  for  the  suppression 
of  the  sect  known  as  Quakers.  In  the  legislative  attention 
of  1661,  especially,  the  church  shared  very  largely.  The 
first  nine  acts  had  exclusive  reference  to  ecclesiastical 
affairs.  They  provided  that  a  church  should  be  built,  and 
vestries  appointed  in  each  parish  ;  that  glebes,  with  conve- 
nient houses  built  thereon,  should  be  purchased  for  the 
minister  of  each  parish,  by  the  state  ;  that  ministers  should 
receive  for  their  salaries,  each  eighty  pounds  sterling,  annu- 
ally, (which  was  afterwards  changed  to  sixteen  thousand 
pounds  of  tobacco)  to  be  levied  by  the  vestry,  upon  the 
citizens  of  each  parish  respectively ;  that  no  minister 
should  preach  without  ordination  from  a  Bishop  in 
England ;  that  every  person  not  so  ordained  attempting  to 
preach,  publicly  or  privately,  should  be  silenced  by  the 
Governor  and  Council,  and  if  he  persisted,  should  be 
banished  from  the  colony ;  that  no  other  catechism  should 
be  taught,  but  that  contained  in  the  Book  of  Common 
Prayer ;  that  on  every  Sunday,  each  person,  not  providen- 
tially prevented,  should  attend  the  parish  church  of  his 

*  Hening's  Statute  at  Large,  Vol.  I.,  &c.  f  Heniug  et  supra. 


22  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

own  parish,  under  a  penalty  for  failure,  of  fifty  pounds  of 
tobacco ;  and  that  each  nonconformist^  should  pay  tiuenty 
j>ouncls  sterling^  for  every  month's  absence  from  the  regular 
established  church  of  the  parish  in  which  he  resided ;  and 
if  absent  a  year,  should  be  apprehended,  and  required  to 
give  security  for  his  good  behaviour ;  which,  if  he  failed  to 
do,  he  was  to  be  imprisoned  until  he  either  did  give  secu- 
rity, or  conformed  to  the  church.* 

These,  and  similar  laws,  governed  the  people  of  Virginia, 
except  during  the  brief  period  of  the  Protectorate,  when 
the  affairs  of  the  Church  were  taken  from  the  Legislature, 
and  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  parishes.  On  the  accession 
of  Charles  II.,  however,  things  returned  to  their  former 
condition,  and  the  laws  were  even  more  stringent  than 
before,  and  thus  continued  up  to  the  time  of  the  American 
revolution, f  with  the  melioration,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter, 
of  the  Act  of  Toleration,  under  William  and  Mary.  If 
Baptists  were  present  in  the  colony,  what  could  they  do  % 
They  durst  not  make  themselves  known.  They  had  no 
alternative  but  to  endeavor  in  solitude  to  serve  God,  until  his 
providence  should  deliver  them  from  the  oppressions  which 
they  then  suffered.  It  is  intimated,  however,  and  especially 
by  Episcopal  writers,  who  seem  desirous  to  apologise  for 
them,  that  these  laws,  in  their  severity,  were  never  enforced. 
They  tell  us  that  "  The  Church  was  provided  for ;  but  it  is 
due,  both  to  the  governors  and  the  governed,  [to  say]  that 
on  the  one  hand  there  was  as  little  disposition  to  enforce, 
as  there  was  on  the  other  to  submit  to  their  penalties." 
Yet  they  admit  elsewhere  that  Baptists,  especially,  subse- 
quently suffered  from  them  great  injustice  and  oppression.:]: 
Gentlemen,  I  revere  the  memory  of  these  early  colonists. 
My  own  loved  ancestors  were  among  them.    But  to  conceal 

*  See  Legislative  Journals,  and  Hening's  Statutes  at  Large,  Yols.  I.,  II. 
t  Hening's  Stat.,  Vol.  I.,  preface,  p.  xv. 
X  Hist.  Epis.  Ch.  in  Va.,  p.  24,  et  seq. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  23 

the  truth,  even  were  it  lawful,  is  both  useless  and  impossi- 
ble. History  speaks  in  a  voice  not  to  be  suppressed,  and 
she  tells  us  that  "  persecutions  for  conscience'  sake "  were 
rife  during  Virginia's  whole  colonial  period.  Who  were 
those  inhabitants  of  Montserrat,  in  the  West  Indies,  of 
whom  the  Jesuit,  White,  speaks,  in  his  "  Pilgrims  of  Mary- 
land," and  of  whom,  under  date  of  1634,  he  tells  us  inci- 
dentally, that  they  were  driven  from  Virgiiiia  "  for  their 
religious  opinions'?"*  Have  we  not  already  seen  that  four 
men,  soldiers  of  Cromwell,  were  hung,  evidently  for  their 
religious  opinions'?  The  penalties  prescribed  by  these  laws 
were,  as  Hening  declares,  in  1640,  inflicted  to  the  letter 
upon  a  citizen,  whose  name  he  does  not  record.  Did  not 
Stevenson  Reek  suffer,  in  1643,  for  religious  offences,  the 
most  revolting  severities  I  He  "  stood  in  the  pillory  two 
hours,  with  a  label  on  his  back,  paid  a  fine  of  fifty  pounds^ 
and  was  imprisoned  at  the  pleasure  of  the  Governor."  f 
Were  not  the  missionaries,  Thompson,  Knolles,  James  and 
Harrison,  sent  to  Virginia  by  the  General  Court  of  Boston, 
banished,  in  1648,  from  the  colony'?  And  were  not  their 
congregations,  though  meeting  only  in  private,  violently 
dispersed,  and  many  of  them  imprisoned  during  indefinite 
periods  '?:|:  And  James  Pyland,  the  member  from  Isle  of 
Wight,  that  Baptist  county ;  what  was  "  his,  the  said  Py- 
land's  blasphemous  catechism,"  for  the  issuing  of  which  he 
was,  in  1652,  expelled  from  the  House  of  Burgesses  ?§ 
Was  not  the  member  from  Norfolk  also  expelled  from  the 
House,  in  1663,  on  a  religious  account "?  ||  And  upon  what 
authority  were  Baptists,  in  later  years,  apprehended, 
imprisoned,  fined,  and  tortured'?  AVould  to  God,  gentle- 
men, these  laws,  in  themselves  so  loathsome,  had  always 
remained  "  a  dead  letter."     But,  alas !  the  sufferings,  and 

*  Annals  of  Annapolis,  p.  23.  t  2  Burk,  67  ;  Eccl.  Va.,  p.  51. 

X  Holmes'  Annals,  289 ;  Savage's  Wintlirop.  334. 

I  Heuiug's  Stat.,  Vol.  I.,  pp.  374-5.  |1  Ut.  Sup.  Vol.  2,  p.  198, 


24  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

groans,  and  blood,  of  many  a  victim,  clamoring  in  our  ears, 
reveal,  on  the  part  of  Virginia's  rulers,  not  a  soft  forbear- 
ance, but  deeds  of  cruelty  and  death !  Under  the  operation 
of  laws  so  stringent ;  watched  by  vigilant  enemies  on  every 
side  ;  no  minister,  known  to  be  such,  permitted  to  reside  in 
the  colony ;  is  it  surprising  that  no  churches  existed,  and 
no  ordinances  were  publicly  administered  ] 

The  Baptist  element  in  the  Virginia  colony  is  still  more 
apparent  by  yet  another  form  of  testimony,  which  I  am 
now  prepared  to  lay  before  you.  We  trace  it  here,  as  we 
do  through  the  dark  ages  in  Europe,  by  the  laws  enacted 
for  its  suppression,  and  the  official  records  of  persecutions. 
SoHcitous  as  they  may  be  to  remain  concealed,  one  clue 
leads  invariably  to  the  detection  of  Baptists.  Their  con- 
sciences compel  them,  and,  at  whatever  hazard,  they  will 
withhold  their  children  from  baptism.  Attempt  to  compel 
them ;  you  will  find  them  immovable  by  any  power  of 
earth.  With  these  well  known  facts  before  us,  we  turn  to 
"  the  Grand  Assembly,"  and  offer  you  a  specimen  of  its 
legislation.  It  is  published  as  the  111  Act  of  the  session 
of  1661-2,  as  follows:  "AVhereas,  many  schismatical  per- 
sons, out  of  their  averseness  to  the  orthodox  established 
religion,  or  out  of  the  new-fangled  conceits  of  their  own 
heretical  inventions,  refuse  to  have  their  children  baptised: 
Be  it  therefore  enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  all 
persons  that,  in  contempt  of  the  divine  sacrament  of  bap- 
tism, shall  refuse,  when  they  may  carry  their  child  [chil- 
dren] to  a  lawful  minister  in  that  county,  to  have  them 
baptized,  shall  be  amerced  two  thousand  pounds  of  tobacco ; 
half  to  the  informer,  half  to  the  public."*  Against  whom, 
I  may  now  inquire,  was  this  law,  and  were  others  like  it, 
directed  1  Modern  writers  have  alleged,  I  know,  that  it 
must  have  been  directed  against  the  Quakers.  It  was  cer- 
tainly applicable  to  them  ;  but  their  numbers  and  influence 

*  Hening's  Statutes  at  liarge,  Yol.  2,  pp.  165,  166. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  25 

then,  were  very  inconsiderable.  Look  carefully  into  all  its 
parts,  and  you  must  see  that  it  contemplated  others  also. 
And  who  could  they  have  been  but  Baptists "?  The  evil  it 
was  designed  to  correct  seems,  in  the  opinion  of  our  legis- 
lators, to  have  been  wide-spread  and  most  alarming.  Study, 
if  you  please,  its  language.  It  is  instructive.  The  pre- 
amble declares  that  there  were  "  manif  of  those  persons  in 
the  colony,  who  refused  to  have  their  children  baptized ; 
that  they  did  not  neghct  merely,  but  "  refusecV  to  have  this 
rite  administered  to  their  little  ones ;  that  this  refusal  was 
based  upon  principle,  which  the  act  pronounced  to  have 
been  "  averseness  to  the  established  religion,"  or  "  the  new- 
fangled conceits  of  their  own  heretical  inventions."  They 
were  not,  therefore,  infidels,  wicked  men,  people  careless  of 
their  obligations;  but  intelligent,  thinking,  conscientious 
christians.  The  law  pronounces  them  stubborn  heretics 
and  schismatics.  They  were  also  of  such  numbers,  charac- 
ter, and  influence  in  society,  that,  as  was  believed,  the  safety 
of  "  the  orthodox  established  religion"  demanded  that  they 
should  be  put  down  by  the  strong  arm  of  the  General 
Assembly.  A  majority  of  them  were  undoubtedly  Baptists. 
If  they  were  not  members  actually  of  Baptist  churches,  it 
was  because,  in  the  providence  of  God,  the  existence  of 
such  churches,  and  the  administration  of  the  ordinances  of 
the  gospel,  were  as  yet,  in  the  colony,  wholly  impracticable. 
Another  fact,  bearing  directly  on  the  point  before  us,  is 
recorded  by  Morgan  Edwards,  and  others.  They  assure  us 
that  although  no  churches  were  as  yet  organized  there. 
Baptists  were  found  in  considerable  numbers,  scattered 
through  the  lower  and  northern  parts  of  North  Carolina,  as 
early  as  the  year  1695.  These  Baptists,  as  we  learn,  had 
gone  over  to  that  colony  from  contiguous  portions  of  Vir- 
ginia, to  escape  the  intolerance  of  her  laws.  The  removal 
of  Baptists  from  Virginia  is  surely  sufficient  evidence  that 
there  were  Baptists  in  Virginia. 


26  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

Thus  have  we  seen,  from  the  state  of  religion  in  Europe, 
especially  among  the  classes  most  likely  to  emigrate  at  the 
time  ;  from  the  history  and  laws  of  the  colony,  and  from 
the  character  of  her  people,  and  especially  of  some  who 
emigrated  hence  to  the  contiguous  colony  of  North  Caro- 
lina ;  to  what  extent  the  Baptist  element  prevailed  in  Vir- 
ginia, from  its  settlement,  in  1607,  to  the  organization  of 
the  first  churches  in  1714.  We  cannot  doubt  that  Baptist 
influence  was  perpetually  felt,  and  that  Baptist  sentiments 
were  not  unknown  to  the  people ;  but  that  they  were  over- 
borne and  prevented  from  public  organization  by  the 
severity  of  the  laws  enacted  for  their  suppression,  and  the 
strong  arm  of  power,  under  the  pressure  of  which  they 
perpetually  labored.  Those  great  principles,  therefore,  pro- 
nounced by  Bancroft,  "  Safe  in  their  immortality,"  found  an 
asylum  not  alone  in  Rhode  Island,  but  in  the  South  also, 
where,  during  many  years,  they  were  silently  but  effectually 
working  out  the  most  glorious  results.  While,  consequently, 
Williams  was  achieving  "  soul  liberty"  for  America,  in 
Providence,  and  Bunyan  for  England,  in  Bedford  jail,  there 
were  not  wanting  those  who,  in  the  wilds  of  Virginia,  were 
battling  as  best  they  might,  for  the  same  great  cause,  and 
under  circumstances  that  the  more  loudly  proclaim  their 
steadfastness,  since  they  had  no  churches  to  countenance, 
nor  ministers  to  instruct  and  lead  them.  They  stood  alone, 
isolated,  unencouraged,  denounced ;  yet  unmoved.  The 
Bible  was  their  only  guide,  and  "  God  their  refuge  and 
strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble." 

IT,  What  were  the  circumstances  under  which  Baptist 
principles  first  became  embodied  in  visible  churches  in 
Virginia '? 

Little  attention  has  been  given  to  this  part  of  our  history 
by  our  own  writers,  and  the  accounts  of  it  by  Pedobaptists, 


IN    VIRGINIA.  27 

from  which,  mainly,  the  reading  world  have  derived  their 
impressions,  are  singularly  distorted  and  erroneous.  Take 
as  an  example  the  historian  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  Virginia.  This  learned  gentleman  gravely  tells 
his  readers  that  the  first  Baptist  immigrartis  to  Virginia 
arrived  in  the  year  1714;  that  no  churcJtes  appeared  until 
after  1765,  when  we  had,  in  truth,  more  than  fi/(J/;  that 
these  churches  sprang  up  in  Amelia  county^  a  part  of  the 
State  where  our  principles  did  not  at  first  prevail ;  and  that 
their  preachers  came  from  the  North,  a  few  only  having 
originated  in  the  South ;  just  the  reverse  of  the  facts.* 
These,  and  like  falsifications,  arise  I  imagine,  not  from  any 
wish  they  may  feel  to  misrepresent  us,  but  simply  from 
their  indisposition  to  seek  the  necessary  information.  They 
doubtless  had  heard  or  seen  some  such  reports,  and,  without 
examination,  recorded  them  as  verities.  Whether,  how- 
ever, they  were  the  result  of  ignorance,  of  carelessness,  or 
of  design,  they  ought  long  since  to  have  been  exposed  and 
corrected.  Why  have  they,  up  to  this  hour,  remained 
unnoticed  and  unrefuted'?  Have  we,  even  in  our  own 
ranks,  had  no  friends  who  have  cared  for  the  honor  or  the 
memory  of  our  fathers  \  Who  of  our  Baptist  writers 
have  reviewed  these  Pedobaptist  annalists,  and  turned  aside 
the  force  of  their  disingenuous,  uncandid  and  injurious 
representations'?  Not  one.  On  the  contrary,  so  far  have 
they  been  from  uttering  rebukes,  that  sometimes  they  have 
shown  a  disposition  to  amuse  themselves  with  these  fables  >* 
but  more  frequently  to  repeat,  as  true,  the  ludicrous  but 
piously  told  stories  of  men,  whose  knowledge  of  the  word 
of  God,  abundant  labors,  and  extraordinary  success,  and 
usefulness,  ought  to  have  commanded  the  profoundest 
reverence  of  them  all.  I  cannot — God  forbid  that  I  ever 
should, — look  with  indiff'erence  upon  the  conduct,  or  seem 
in  any  manner  to  approve  the  spirit  of  tliose  who  either 
*  Hist.  Prot.  Ep.  Ch.  ia  Va.,  pp.  120,  121. 


28  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

falsify  our  history  or  derogate  from  the  just  character  and 
fame  of  our  ecclesiastical  fathers.  I  proceed  to  state  the 
facts  which  belong  to  the  origin  of  our  Virginia  churches. 

Much  is  due,  as  to  this  movement,  to  the  influence  of  the 
"  Act  of  Toleration,"  defective  and  even  oppressive  as  was 
that  act  in  itself,  passed  by  the  English  Parliament  in  the 
first  year  of  the  reign  of  William  and  Mary.  The  law 
was  doubtless  authoritative  in  the  American  colonies.  This 
opinion  was,  however,  in  some  quarters,  warmly  contested. 
In  New  York,  for  example,  in  the  case  of  Mackamie,  it 
was  denied  by  the  Court,  and  the  law  there  declared  to  be 
inoperative.  The  act,  upon  the  English  Statute  Book,  was 
entitled,  "  An  Act  for  exempting  their  Majesties'  Protestant 
subjects,  dissenting  from  the  Church  of  England,  from 
penalties  of  certain  laws.  Chapter  XVIII."  This  law, 
from  its  terms^  could  not  extend  to  Baptists^  either  in  Eng- 
land or  America,  since  Baptists  are  not,  and  never  were^ 
Protestants.  The  governments,  however,  of  both  countries 
chose  to  place  them  in  that  category,  and  they  did  not  think 
proper  to  object,  since,  if  not  Protestants,  they  were  Dis- 
senters, and  needed  much  the  indulgence  of  Avhicli  they 
would  thereby  have  been  deprived.  The  first  public 
acknowledgment  of  this  law,  in  Virginia,  was  ten  years 
after  its  adoption  in  the  mother  country,  as  part  of  an  act 
entitled,  "  An  Act  for  the  more  effectual  suppressing  of 
blasphemy,  swearing,  cursing,  drunkenness,  and  Sabbath- 
breaking,"  passed  in  the  Legislature  of  1699.  The  associ- 
ation was  strange,  but  nevertheless  that  in  which  it 
appeared.  This  act  refers  to  the  English  law  only  in  a 
proviso  at  its  close,  as  follows :  "  Provided  always,  that  if 
any  person  or  persons,  dissenting  from  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, being  every  way  qualified,  according  to  an  act  of 
Parliament,  made  in  the  first  year  of  our  sovereign  lord  the 
king,  that  now  is,  and  the  late  queen,  Mary,  of  blessed 
memory,  entitled  '  An  Act  for  exempting  their  Majesties' 


IN    VIRGINIA.  29 

subjects,  dissenting  from  the  Church  of  England,  from 
penalties  of  certain  laws,'  shall  resort  and  meet  at  any  con- 
gregation or  place  of  religious  worship,  permitted  and 
allowed  by  the  said  Act  of  Parliament,  once  in  two  months, 
that  then  the  said  penalties  and  forfeitures  imposed  by  the 
act  [for  Sabbath-breaking,  as  above,  and]  for  refusing  to 
resort  to  their  parish  church  or  chapel,  as  aforesaid,  shall 
not  be  taken  to  extend  to  such  person  or  persons."  But  it 
is  remarkable  that  this  "  statute  of  William  and  Mary" 
never  was  placed  on  record  in  the  colony.  Not  one  person 
in  a  thousand  could  therefore  know  its  contents.  In  the 
revisal  of  the  laws  of  Virginia  of  1705,  which  was  the  fifth, 
this  law  was  introduced,  in  terms  still  more  slight,  in  Act 
30,  "  For  the  suppression  of  vice."  It  appears  simply  in 
general  terms,  in  a  parenthesis.  Those  interested  were  left 
to  discover,  if  they  could,  to  what  privileges  they  were 
thereby  entitled.*  Beverly,  in  his  history,  and  Present 
State  of  Virginia,  explains  the  provisions  of  the  statute  in 
question.  He  says,  "  The  people  are  generally  of  the 
Church  of  England,  which  is  the  religion  established  by 
law  in  the  country,  from  which  there  are  few  dissenters. 
Yet  hberty  of  conscience  is  given  to  all  other  congregations 
pretending  to  Christianity,  on  condition  they  submit  to  all 
parish  duties."  f  That  is,  they  were  required  to  pay  their 
full  proportion  for  the  support  of  the  parish  minister  of  the 
established  church ;  to  receive  marriage  at  his  hands  and 
in  the  form  of  the  State  Church ;  to  pay  all  parish  rates  for 
building  and  repairing  the  meeting-houses  of  the  established 
church,  and  for  purchasing,  cultivating  and  repairing  the 
glebes ;  and  when  they  had  done  this,  then,  if  they  could 
get  a  license  from  the  authorities  for  a  place,  they  might 
build  a  meeting-house  on  it  for  themselves ;  and  if  their 
minister  could  get  a  license  to  preach  there,  he  might  do 

*  Foote's  Sketches,  pp.  48,  49. 

t  Ed.  1705,  Book  4th,  Part  1st,  Chap.  7,  p.  27. 


80  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

SO ;  and  provided  they  could  prove  that  they  attended  his 
preaching  once  a  month,  they  were  exempt  from  the  pains 
and  penalties  denounced  against  those  who  did  not  conform 
to  the  Church  of  England.  This  was  toleration !  This 
was  liberty  of  conscience  in  the  days  of  Pedobaptist  rule 
and  dominion ! 

The  facts  now  submitted  will  explain  the  reasons  why 
the  people,  during  twenty  years,  knew  so  little  of  "  the  Act 
of  Toleration  of  William  and  Mary,"  or  of  what  the 
Colony  would  permit  them  to  do  in  religion.  This  act  did 
not  appear  upon  the  statute-book,  and  was  referred  to  only 
in  general  terms,  and  in  the  slightest  manner.  Whether 
all  this  was  designed,  it  is  not  my  province  to  determine. 
The  knowledge  of  the  law  at  length  reached  the  people, 
and  meagre  as  were  its  provisions,  they  accepted  them. 
Indeed,  the  dissenters  were  thereby  greatly  emboldened. 
They  were  in  consequence  ready  and  disposed,  not  only  to 
express  their  sentiments  freely,  but  also  to  carry  them  out 
into  public  action.  They  could  now,  as  they  supposed, 
appear  in  their  true  character,  without  the  risk  of  fines, 
imprisonments,  or  banishment  from  the  country  which  con- 
tained their  earthly  all.  The  first  public  ecclesiastical 
movement,  by  our  fathers,  was  made  by  the  citizens  of  Isle 
of  Wight  and  Surry  counties,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river, 
opposite  Jamestown.  In  large  numbers,  on  an  appointed 
day,  of  their  own  accord,  having  no  minister  to  suggest  it,  or 
to  lead  them,  they  assembled  to  advise  with  each  other,  as  to 
the  measures  proper  to  be  adopted  to  supply  their  spiritual 
wants.  They  were  not,  as  Dr.  Hawks  has  told  you,  a  com- 
pany of  immigrants,  but  the  citizen  yeomanry,  and  resident 
in  the  country.  After  mature  deliberation,  they  decided  to 
address  on  the  subject,  not  their  friends  at  the  norths  as  you 
have  been  informed,  but  their  friends  in  England.  They 
did  so  immediately,  earnestly  soliciting  that  Baptist  minis- 
ters might  be  sent  among  them,  for  their  instruction  and 


IN    VIRGINIA.  81 

guidanco.  This  communication  may  donbtlcss  l)c  found 
among  the  archives  of  the  British  churclies,  with  much 
other  correspondence,  private  and  official,  which,  if  recov- 
ered, would  do  much  to  disembarrass  the  history,  not  only 
of  "  The  early  Baptists  of  Virginia,"  but  also  of  Baptists  in 
all  the  other  American  colonies.  Their  communications 
were  duly  received  by  the  brethren  in  the  British  metro- 
polis. They  kindly  entertained  their  requests,  and  in  com- 
pliance, ordained  and  sent  to  Virginia,  Robert  Nordin  and 
Thomas  White.  This  event  transpired  in  the  city  of  Lon- 
don, in  May,  1T14.  One  of  these  missionaries  died  on  his 
passage  hither  ;  the  other  in  due  time  arrived,  and  com- 
menced his  labors.  These  Avere  soon  after  followed  by 
Messrs.  Jones,  Mintz,  and  others,  all  of  whom  were  received 
with  the  warmest  affection,  and  preached,  not  only  without 
molestation,  but  with  most  gratifying  success.  The  results 
were  tlie  organization,  during  the  first  year  of  their  labors, 
of  a  church  at  Burleigh,  in  Isle  of  Wight  county,  which 
has  since  taken  the  name  of  Mill  Swamp  ;  another  at  Bran- 
don, in  Surry,  believed  now  to  be  Otterdams ;  and  subse- 
quently others  still.  Thus  arose  the  first  Baptist  churches 
in  the  colony  of  Virginia. 

While  these  events  were  transpiring  in  the  southern^ 
others  of  like  character  were  taking  place  in  the  nortliern 
part  of  the  Commonwealth.  Numerous  Baptists,  previous 
to  1743,  were  resident  in  London,  Berkeley,  and  contiguous 
counties.  Li  compliance  with  their  solicitation,  they  were 
visited  and  instructed  by  Messrs.  Loveall,  Heaton,  (larrard, 
and  other  ministers,  probably  from  the  Welsh  settlements 
in  Pennsylvania.  Churches,  there,  were  soon  gathered  and 
organized :  first  Opecon,  then  Mill  Creek,  then  Ketockton, 
and  then  still  others.  These,  with  the  southern  churches, 
solicited  and  obtained  membership  in  the  Philadelphia 
Association.  From  this  relation  they  derived  many  and 
very  great  advantages.     Especially  were  they  favored  with 


82  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

the  advice  and  assistance  of  that  truly  able  body,  whose 
ministers  paid  them  frequent  and  most  refreshing  visits  ; 
among  whom,  the  labors  of  James  Miller,  David  Thomas, 
and  John  Gano,  can  by  the  Virginians  never  be  forgotten. 

The  laws  of  the  colony,  to  which  I  have  referred, 
remained  unrepealed.  But  the  impunity  of  our  brethren 
was  maintained  by  the  influence  of  three  co-operating 
causes.  The  first  was  found  in  the  "  Law  of  Toleration," 
before  alluded  to.  It  was  presumed,  that  if  citizens  did 
not  disturb  or  injure  others  thereby ;  paid  their  tithes  for 
the  support  of  the  established  church,  and  were  otherwise 
loyal  subjects  of  the  king;  they  might  be  suffered  generally 
to  worship  God  humbly  in  their  own  way.  The  second 
was  the  great  demoralization,  at  that  time,  of  the  ministry 
and  most  of  the  members  of  the  State  church.  They  rolled 
in  wealth  and  luxury ;  were  careful  only  of  their  revenues 
and  their  pleasures ;  and  secure  in  their  position,  they  were 
indifferent  to  the  spiritual  condition  of  the  masses  of  the 
people.  And  the  third  was  the  spirit  of  liberality  which 
had  long  been  gaining  ground  in  the  public  mind.  The 
bigotry  of  the  old  world  had  failed  to  fix  itself  so  indelibly 
upon  the  minds  of  the  people  of  the  new.  They  were,  in 
truth,  not  much  influenced  by  any  feeling  that  could  pro- 
perly be  called  religious.  But  the  grand  cause  was  the 
blessing  of  God.  "  The  time  to  favor  Zion,  yea,  the  set 
time  had  come;"  and  the  true  principles  of  the  gospel 
struck  their  roots  irradicably  into  the  mental  soil  of  Vir- 
ginia. Church  after  church  noiselessly  arose,  like  the 
shining  out  of  the  stars  of  evening,  and  sparkled  like  gems 
in  the  American  firmament,  which  they  were  destined, 
ere  long,  to  fill  with  radiance  and  beauty. 

III.  From  the  period  at  wdiich  we  have  now  arrived,  to 
the  close  of  the  last  century,  how  extraordinary  was  the 
progress  of  our  principles  among  the  people  ! 


IN    VIRGINIA.  33 

Gradually,  and  surely,  the  cause  had  extended  itself. 
New  churches  were  continually  springing  up.  The  day 
had  dawned.  The  rising  sun  was  gilding  all  the  landscape. 
Shubael  Stearns  arrived.  A  new  era  was  inaugurated.  Mr. 
Stearns  was  reared  in  Boston ;  was  a  minister  of  "  The 
EstabUshed  Order"  of  Massachusetts  ;  had  been  from  prin- 
ciple compelled  to  become  a  Baptist ;  had  there  been  bap- 
tised, and  ordained;  and  had  wandered  to  the  south,  in 
hopes  of  greater  usefulness.  He  settled  with  his  family,  at 
Cacapon,  in  Hampshire  county,  where  with  great  earnest- 
ness, and  many  anxieties,  he  began  to  preach  the  gospel. 
Soon  after  his  settlement,  he  was  joined  by  his  brother  in 
law,  Mr.  Daniel  Marshall,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  origi- 
nally of  Windsor,  Connecticut,  who  for  some  years  previous 
had  been  laborino-  voluntarilv,  and  from  a  sense  of  dutv, 
among  the  Indians,  on  the  Susquehanna.  The  war  now 
raging  between  them,  and  the  Maryland  colony,  had 
destroyed  his  hopes  of  any  further  benefit  to  them,  and  he 
naturally  bent  his  steps  towards  the  contiguous  residence 
of  his  relatives  in  Virginia.  Meantime,  Mr.  Marshall  also, 
had  become  a  convert  to  our  faith.  He,  too,  was  baptised, 
ordained  as  an  evangelist,  and  entered  immediately,  with 
great  zeal,  upon  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel  of 
Christ.  The  activity,  and  laborious  exertions  of  these 
two  men  of  God,  were  in  modern  times  wholly  unpre- 
cedented. Not  content  with  laboring  in  the  vicinity  of 
their  residence,  they  visited  other  places,  and  were  soon 
travelling,  and  proclaiming  salvation  throughout  the  entire 
length,  and  breadth  of  the  colony.  They  found  a  warm 
co-operation  on  the  part  of  the  pastors.  "  The  fields  were 
white  unto  the  harvest."  God  poured  out  his  Holy  Spirit. 
One  universal  impulse  pervaded,  apparently,  the  minds  of 
the  whole  people.  Evidently  hungering  for  the  bread  of 
life,  they  came  together  in  vast  multitudes.     Every  where 

the  ministry  of  these  men  was  attended  with  the  most 

3 


8-i  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

extraordinary  success.  Very  large  numbers  were  baptised. 
Churches  sprang  up  by  scores.  Among  the  converts  were 
many  able  men,  who  at  once  entered  the  ministry,  and 
swelled  continually  the  ranks  of  the  messengers  of  salvation. 
The  enthusiasm  with  which  they  all,  ministers  and  people, 
engaged  in  this  work,  and  the  rapidity  with  w^hich  the 
gospel  was  transmitted  from  neighborhood  to  neighborhood, 
may  not  unfitly  be  described  in  the  energetic  language 
with  which  ^schylus  depicts  the  progress  of  the  beacon 
fires  that  announced  the  fall  of  Troy : — 

"  From  watch  to  watch  it  leapt,  that  light, 
As  a  rider  rode  the.  flame." 

The  importance  of  some  more  intimate  bond  of  union, 
and  intercourse  among  themselves,  through  which  they 
might  more  readily  and  effectually  co-operate  in  their 
"  works  of  faith,  and  labors  of  love,"  now  began  to  be 
deeply  felt,  by  the  accumulated  churches  in  both  Virginia 
and  the  Carolinas.  After  much  consultation  and  prayer, 
the  Charleston  Association  was  formed,  according  to  the 
model  of  the  Philadelphia,  the  third  in  order  of  time,  in 
the  colonies.  This  body  came  into  existence  in  1751,  and 
embraced  churches  in  both  the  Carolinas  ;  and  in  1758  the 
Sandy  Creek,  the  fourth,  formed  of  churches  in  Virginia, 
and  North,  and  probably  South  Carolina.  Thus  the  cause 
was  greatly  accelerated.  The  advance  of  the  denomination 
was  still  onward,  and  it  was  soon  found  that  the  territory 
of  these  Associations  was  much  too  large  for  active  effi- 
ciency, and  the  churches  too  numerous  to  justify  the  hope 
that  these  bodies  could  call  forth  and  effectually  employ  all 
those  energies  for  usefulness  with  which  God  had  so  abun- 
dantly favored  them.  During  the  sessions,  therefore,  of 
1770,  the  churches  in  Virginia  were  dismissed  in  a  body, 
for  that  purpose,  and  on  the  second  Saturday  in  May,  1771, 
at  Craig's,  in  Orange  County,  most  of  them,  and  especially 


IN    VIRGINIA.  35 

the  Separate  chiirclies,  were  provisionally  organized,  and 
constituted,  under  the  name  of "  the  General  Association  of 
Virginia.''*  Thenceforward  Baptists  in  Virginia  were  num- 
bered not  by  hundreds,  but  by  tens  of  thousands. 

IV.  We  now  inquire  into  the  causes  of  the  extraordinary 
success,  with  which  the  Baptists  were  favored  in  Virginia. 

During  a  wdiole  century  they  were  vigilantly  watched, 
and  carefully  kept  down,  by  the  pow"erful  arm  of  the  colo- 
nial government.  Throughout  this  entire  period,  they 
conducted  themselves  with  great  circumspection,  and  pru- 
dence. The  night  of  their  oppression  was  long,  and  dreary. 
The  tardy  morning  came  at  length.  Like  a  concealed 
army,  they  sprang  up  from  every  nook,  and  glen,  and 
plain,  and  hill,  in  the  colony;  and  coming  together,  com- 
menced their  conquering,  onward  march.  Their  success 
arose,  as  we  all  know,  from  the  blessing  of  God,  upon  his 
own  truth,  which  they  loved,  embraced,  adorned,  and 
taught.  "  God  is  in  his  truth."  He,  sooner  or  later,  will 
make  it  triumphant.  There  were,  however,  secondary 
causes;  providential  circumstances,  and  events;  instru- 
mentalities of  various  characters  ;  which  combined  to  pro- 
duce this  result.     To  these  I  refer  more  especially. 

And  the  first  I  shall  mention  is  found  in  the  peculiar 
character  of  the  people. 

From  the  great  world  around  them,  they  were  almost 
completely  isolated.  Widely  scattered  in  their  deep  forests, 
among  their  hills,  and  upon  their  broad  plains,  they  acquired 
habits  of  self-reliance,  which  naturally  extended  themselves 
into  every  department  of  life.  To  preserve  their  families 
from  the  savage  enemies  that  environed  them,  every  man 
planned  his  own  modes  of  attack,  and  defence.  Their 
pecuniary,  and  domestic  affairs,  they  were  obliged  to  con- 

*  Semple's  History  of  the  Yirgiuia  Baptists,  p.  41,  et  seq. 


36  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

duct  with  little  counsel  from  others.  In  a  word,  they  were 
compelled,  on  all  subjects,  to  think  for  themselves.  Nor 
when  this  disposition  is  once  formed,  can  it  ever  afterwards 
be  repressed.  It  extends  itself  alike  to  temporal,  and 
spiritual  things  ;  to  the  world,  and  to  religion.  They  were 
not  in  circumstances  to  be  overawed,  or  trammelled,  by 
those  dominant  prejudices,  or  perverted  opinions,  which 
flow  out  from  cities,  and  from  rich  and  populous  neigh- 
borhoods. With  their  Bibles  in  their  hands,  and  little 
else  in  the  form  of  literature;  and  accustomed  to  inde- 
pendent thought;  they  were  prepared  to  weigh  intelli- 
gently, and  candidly,  the  teachings  of  our  fathers.  They 
saw  that  they  embraced,  as  did  those  of  no  other  denomi- 
nation, truly  and  fully,  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  as  revealed 
in  the  divine  word.  They,  therefore,  gave  them  their 
cheerful  and  entire  assent. 

Another  cause  of  their  great  success,  may  be  seen  in  the 
character  of  the  established  religion  of  the  colony. 

The  masses  of  men  who  read  the  Bible,  and  especially 
those  who  have  become  accustomed  to  free  thought,  and 
action,  do  not  ordinarily  relish  the  shackles  of  an  esta- 
blished religion ;  and  particularly  are  they  not  very  hearty 
in  the  payment  of  heavy  taxes  imposed  by  the  state,  for  its 
support;  even  when  they  cherish  for  that  rehgion,  and  its 
teachers,  a  sincere  respect.  But  when  both  have  ceased  to 
command  their  reverence,  and  others  appear  to  them,  more 
consonant  with  the  word  of  God,  it  is  difficult  to  detain 
them  within  that  control  which  they  cannot  look  upon  but 
with  feelings  of  repulsion.  Precisely  such  a  state  of  things 
now  existed  in  Virginia.  The  people  were  tired  of  the 
bonds,  and  the  burdens  of  the  church.  Nor  was  this  all. 
With  her  arrogant  pretensions,  and  her  persecuting  spirit, 
they  were  thoroughly  disgusted.  This  dislike  was  greatly 
increased  by  the  prevalent  irreligion,  and  subsequent  tory- 
ism,  of  her  ministers,  and  other  officers.    Speaking  of  them, 


I  N    V  I  R  G  I  N  I  A.  37 

Dr.  Semple  remarks : — "  The  loose  and  immoral  deportment 
of  her  clergy  was  such,  that  the  people  were  left  almost 
destitute  of  even  the  shadow  of  religion.    They  had,  indeed, 
some  of  its  forms  of  worship,  but  the  essential  principles  of 
Christianity,  were  not  only  not  understood  among  them, 
but   by  many  never   heard  of"*      The  historian  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia,  quoting  from  Hammond, 
says  of  them  : — "  They  could  babble  in  a  pulpit ;  roar  in  a 
tavern ;  exact  from  their  parishioners  ;  and  rather  by  their 
dissoluteness  destroy,  than  feed  their  flocks."!     In  another 
place  he  says : — "  Many  of  the  clergy,  were  unfit  for  their 
stations.     The  precariousness  of  the  tenure  by  wdiich  they 
held  their  livings,  contributed  also,  not  a  little,  to  beget  in 
them  a  spirit  of  indifference  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties ; 
and  to  complete  the  list  of  unpropitious  circumstances,  the 
irregularities  and  crimes  of  an  unworthy  clergyman,  could 
not  be  visited  effectually,  with  the  severities  of  ecclesias- 
tical censure.":j:     The  Legislature,  therefore,  attempted  to 
remedy  the  evil,  and  the  character  and  morals  of  these  men 
maybe  further  understood  by  the  terms  of  the  act  of  1776, 
as  follows  : — "  Be  it  further  enacted  by  this  Grand  Assem- 
bly, and  by  the  authority  thereof,  that  such  ministers  as 
shall    become    notoriously    scandalous,    by    drunkenness, 
swearing,  fornication,  or  other  heinous  and  crying  sins,  and 
shall  be  thereof  lawfully  convicted,  shall  for  every   such 
their  heinous  crime,  and   wickedness ;"  and  the  law  pro- 
ceeds to  prescribe  penalties.§     Is  it  surprising  that  for  such 
a  ministry,  the  best  portions  of  the  people  entertained  no 
respect  whatever  1     The  revolution  at  length  broke  out, 
and  large  numbers  of  "  the  state  clergy,"  at  once  proved 
themselves  tories;    were   allied  with  the   enemies   of  the 
Commonwealth,  and  not  a  few  of  them  fled  for  refuge  to 
the  bosom  of  the  mother  country.      So  repulsive  did  they 

*  Hist.  Ya.  Bapt.,  pp.  25,  26.  t  Hawks,  p.  65. 

X  Ut  supra,  89.  ?  Heiiiug's  Stat.,  Vol.  II.,  p.  384. 


8S  '  EAELY    BAPTISTS 

become  on  these  accounts,  that  one  at  least,  after  preaching 
an  offensive  sermon,  was  taken  into  the  woods,  by  a  body 
of  whigs,  and  soundly  flogged,  for  his  enmity  to  his 
country.  Another,  to  avoid  a  similar  result,  carried  pistols 
with  him  into  the  pulpit.  These  and  others,  introduced 
their  loyalty  into  the  very  services  of  the  Sabbath  day. 
Nor,  (I  regret  to  record  it,)  do  these  acts  of  their  fathers, 
meet  the  entire  reprobation  of  their  successors  of  the 
present  day.  The  punishment  of  the  former,  the  Episcopal 
historian  calls  insult  and  persecution ;  and  of  the  latter  he 
says  : — "  Such  firmness  was  not  without  its  effect,  the  reso- 
lute minister  was  never  interrupted ;  his  house  became  the 
asylum  of  many  of  his  persecuted  brethren  [the  tories]  as 
one  of  the  surest  places  of  safety."*  Apologising  for  them, 
Dr.  Hawks  says : — "  The  clergy  were  generally  friends  to 
the  mother  country."  "Admit  the  fact,"  he  continues, 
"  that  the  view  which  they  entertained  was  erroneous  (as  it 
certainly  was)  still  it  might  have  been,  and  in  many  cases 
was,  a  very  honest  error."  "The  question  as  to  the  proper 
course  to  be  pursued,  was  one  on  which  honest,  and  intelli- 
gent men,  might  easily  differ."  "  Before,  therefore,  we 
condemn  all  Avho  in  the  perilous  struggle,  took  part  with 
the  mother  country,  we  should  place  ourselves,  in  imagina- 
tion, in  their  situation,  and  it  may  serve  to  temper  the 
harshness  of  our  judgment."  "  But  the  error  Avas  not  con- 
fined to  the  clergy.  A  portion  of  the  laity  adopted  their 
opinions.  It  was,  however,  very  small,  for  the  mass  of  the 
population  in  Virginia  was  opposed  to  England,  and  this 
rendered  the  situation  of  the  clergy  only  the  more  disagree- 
able."t  However  good  their  reasons  for  being  tories,  when 
the  people  who  were  fighting  for  liberty,  and  shedding  their 
blood  like  water,  exclaiming  with  Henry,  "  Give  me  liberty 
or  give  me  death,"  saw  their  pastors  turn  against  them,  and 

*  Hawk's  History,  &c.,  pp.  145,  146,  147. 
t  Hist.  Epis.  Ch.  in  Virginia,  pp.  135,  136. 


I  N    V  I  R  G  I  N  I  A,  39 

join  their  enemies,  their  indignation  was  natural  and  com- 
plete. They  cast  them  off  with  contempt ;  and  they  natu- 
rally turned  to  the  Baptists,  who,  to  a  man,  stood  by  their 
country.  Not  one  Baptist  ever  was  known  to  desert  the 
cause  of  freedom.  Patriots  and  pious  men,  Avhile  they 
turned  away  from  the  parish  churclios  with  loathing,  on 
account  of  their  arrogance,  the  irreligion  and  the  toryism 
of  their  ministers,  heard  the  fervid  discourses  of  our  breth- 
ren, their  fellow  patriots,  with  great  respect  and  kindness. 

Still  another  cause  of  the  great  success  of  "  the  early 
Baptists  of  Virginia,"  was  the  measures  adopted  by  the 
colonial  rulers  to  arrest  the  progress  of  their  principles. 

The  magistrates,  in  all  parts  of  the  Commonwealth, 
impelled  and  directed  by  the  state  clergy,  and  their  more 
zealous  friends,  commenced  a  relentless  annoyance  of  the 
people,  and  a  heartless  persecution  of  the  ministers  of  our 
churches.  Attempts  were  made  to  set  aside  the  Toleration 
Act,  and  old  and  obsolete  laws  were  hunted  up,  such  as  those 
to  which  we  have  referred,  and  essays  were  made  to  enforce 
their  provisions.  Assessments  were  prosecuted  with  new 
vigilance ;  fines  were  imposed  and  collected ;  meetings 
were  disturbed  and  violently  dispersed ;  and  pastors,  and 
other  ministers,  were  arrested,  dragged  before  the  courts, 
brow-beaten,  and  ignominiously  punished.  All  this,  and 
more,  is  acknowledged  by  the  ministers  and  historians  of 
the  "  State  Church"  themselves.  Dr.  Hawks,  for  example, 
says,  "  No  dissenters  in  Virginia  experienced,  for  a  time, 
harsher  treatment  than  did  the  Baptists.  They  were 
beaten  and  imprisoned,  and  cruelty  taxed  its  ingenuity  to 
devise  new  modes  of  punishment  and  annoyance.  The 
usual  consequences  followed.  Persecution  made  friends  for 
its  victims  ;  and  the  men  who  were  not  permitted  to  speak 
in  public,  found  willing  auditors  in  the  sympathizing  crowds, 
who  gathered  around  the  prisons,  to  hear  them  preach  from 


40  EARLY    BAPTISTS 


the  o-rated  windows.  It  is  not  improbable,"  he  adds, "  that 
this  very  opposition  imparted  strength  in  another  mode, 
inasmuch  as  it  at  least  furnished  the  Baptists  with  a 
common  ground  on  which  to  make  resistance."*  In 
all  the  prisons  where  our  brethren  were  incarcerated,  they 
preached  daily,  from  the  windows,  to  the  crowds  who  there 
assembled  to  hear  them.  This  was  especially  true  of 
Fredericksburg,  Chesterfield  Court  House,  Essex,  Middle- 
sex, King  and  Queen,  Culpepper,  and  many  other  places. 
Rev.  Eleazar  Clay,  a  relative  and  the  guardian  of  the  distin- 
guished statesman,  Henry  Clay,  with  reference  to  those  who 
had  there  professed  religion,  whites  thus,  to  the  Eev.  John 
Williams :  "  We  wish  you  to  come  down  and  baptise  those 
who  are  now  waiting  for  an  opportunity.  The  Lord  is 
carrying  on  a  glorious  work  in  our  county  [Chesterfield]. 
The  preaching  at  the  prison  is  not  attended  in  vain,  for  we 
hope  that  several  are  converted,  while  others  are  under 
great  distress,  and  made  to  cry  out,  '  What  shall  we  do  to 
be  saved"?' "t  The  feelings  of  the  people  with  regard  to 
their  persecutors,  under  these  circumstances,  can  readily  be 
imao-ined.  And  who  were  the  men  thus  harassed  and  mal- 
treated]  In  social  position,  intelligence,  wealth,  and 
general  respectability,  they  were  in  no  way  inferior^  and  in 
morals  and  uprightness  they  were  greatly  superior  to  their 
assailants.  Public  sentiment  sympathized  with  the  Bap- 
tists, and  frowned  indignantly  upon  those  supercilious 
officials,  who,  because  they  happened  to  be 

"  Clothed  in  a  little  brief  authority, 
Cut  such  fantastic  tricks  before  high  heaven, 
As  make  the  angels  weep." 

Yet  another  cause  of  their  great  success,  was  the  conso- 
nance between  Baptist  doctrines,  on  political  subjects,  and 

*  Hist.  Prot.  Ep.  Ch.  in  Ya.,  p.  121. 

t  Taylor's  Lives  of  Virginia  Baptist  Ministers,  pp.  203,  204. 


INVIRGINIA.  41 

the  spirit  of  liberty  which  had  now  taken  entire  possession 
of  the  hearts  of  the  people. 

Complete  separation  of  church  and  state  ;  perfect  free- 
dom of  conscience  and  worship;  and  the  right  of  every 
citizen  to  full  and  equal  protection  by  the  government  in  the 
exercise  of  all  his  privileges,  social,  political  and  religious ; 
were  sentiments  held,-  maintained,  and  constantly  advocated 
by  Baptists,  and  by  no  other  denomination  in  the  colony.  By 
Episcopalians,  Methodists,  and,  to  a  great  extent,  by  Pres- 
byterians, these  principles  were  denounced  as  pestilential 
heresies,  to  be  deplored,  and  if  possible,  destroyed.  To 
their  value  and  importance,  the  progress  of  e"S"ents  had 
opened  the  eyes  of  the  people.  They  saw  plainly,  the  great 
truth,  that  no  state  that  does  not  fully  embrace  them,  ever 
can  be  really  free.  The  time  of  their  triumph  had  now 
come.  Our  ministers,  and  people,  proclaimed  them  boldly. 
The  masses  received  them  everywhere  with  delight.  By 
thousands,  therefore,  they  ranged  themselves  on  the  side 
of  the  Baptists. 

The  great  success  of  our  doctrines  was  however  due, 
under  God,  still  more  to  the  peculiar  character  of  the 
preacldng  of  the  times. 

Never  was  there  a  ministry  more  perfectly  adapted  to  the 
people  of  that  age,  and  to  the  times  in  which  they  lived, 
and  labored ;  and  never  was  there  a  population  more  ready 
to  receive  and  obey  the  truth.  Nor  was  their  work  seriously 
retarded,  at  any  time,  by  controversies  among  themselves ; 
all  that  has  been  said  on  this  subject,  by  our  assailants,  and 
even  our  friends,  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  They 
were  not  free  from  discussions  on  what  are  known  in 
modern  times  as  Calvinism  and  Arminianism ;  subjects  on 
which  the  best  and  most  learned  men,  in  no  age  of  the 
Church,  have  ever  been  able  perfectly  to  harmonize.  Epis- 
copacy also,  from  which,  as  seen  in  the  established  church, 


42  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

SO  many  of  them  had  withdrawn  themselves,  still  lingered 
in  the  ranks  of  "  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia."  Their 
judgments  had  been  beclouded  by  its  teachings,  to  which 
they  had  listened  from  their  childhood,  and  did  not  at  once, 
see  the  simple  and  beautiful  polity  of  the  church,  as  taught 
by  Christ,  and  his  apostles.  Upon  this  subject  also,  for  a 
season,  they  were  warmly  agitated.  But  all  their  differ- 
ences were  discussed  with  a  prayerfulness,  christian  cour- 
tesy, and  brotherly  love,  unknown  to  any  other  Christians 
of  that  age,  and  therefore  soon  residted,  as  we  shall  here- 
after see  more  fully,  in  a  harmony  as  complete  perhaps,  as 
any  of  which  imperfect  human  nature  is  capable.  Never 
has  there  been  a  church  existing  through  so  many  centu- 
ries, and  of  numbers  so  great,  which  has  preserved  a  more 
perfect  union  than  the  Baptists.  Especially,  never  has 
there  been  a  more  harmonious  church,  than  that  of  "  The 
Early  Baptists  of  Virginia."*  All  this  must  be  at  once 
apparent  to  every  intelligent  man  who,  without  prejudice, 
reads  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  Virginia  for  the  last 
century. 

The  ministry  of  that  period,  were  generally  received  from 
the  masses  to  whom  they  preached,  and  with  whose  char- 
acter, circumstances  and  peculiarities  they  were  intimately 
acquainted.  And  nearly  every  discourse,  however  learned, 
or  unlearned  the  preacher,  was  constructed  upon  very  much 
the  same  model.  With  great  clearness,  and  simplicity,  they 
first  presented  the  lost  condition  of  man  by  nature ;  the 
depravity  of  the  human  heart ;  and  the  impossibility  of 
deliverance  by  the  law,  or  by  any  acts  of  obedience,  ordi- 
nances, or  works  of  merit  whatever.  They  next  depicted 
vividly,  the  way  of  salvation  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
with  its  gracious  characteristics,  bearings  and  relations. 
An  explanation  followed,  of  the  manner  in  which  that  sal- 

*  I  employ  here  the  word  church,  not  with  strict  scriptural  propriety,  but  in 
accordance  with  the  usages  of  the  times. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  43 

vation  is  personally  applied,  by  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
in  the  heart  of  the  believer,  accompanied  always  by  repen- 
tance towards  God  and  faith  in  the  Redeemer.  They  now 
recounted  the  mental  phenomena  attendant  upon  true 
spiritual  regeneration,  with  the  temptations,  trials,  and 
encouragements,  characteristic  of  genuine  christian  expe- 
rience. They  closed  by  an  earnest  appeal  to  Christians, 
suitably  to  adorn  their  holy  profession,  and  to  sinners  to 
accept  this  great  salvation.  Every  sermon  they  uttered, 
went  directly  to  the  heart.  Multitudes  heard,  believed, 
obeyed,  and  rejoiced. 

These,  mainly,  were  the  causes  which  gave  to  "  The 
Early  Baptists  of  Virginia"  their  extraordinary  success. 

V.  We  now  consider  the  controversies  that  prevailed 
among  "  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia,"  and  the  harmony, 
doctrinal  and  practical,  at  which  they  at  length  arrived. 

On  two  topics  only,  of  any  special  importance,  were  they 
not  agreed.  These  were,  as  already  stated,  the  doctrines 
of  predestination,  and  of  episcopacy;  and  both  they  may,  in 
some  sense,  be  said  to  have  inherited  from  their  fathers  of 
a  former  period.  To  these  we  will  now  refer,  in  the  order 
in  which  they  have  been  named. 

The  doctrines  subsequently  known  in  ecclesiastical  his- 
tory, as  Calvinism  and  Arminianism,  attracted  no  special 
attention  until  the  days  of  Augustine,  whose  contests  with 
Pelagius  brought  them  forward.  After  his  times,  they 
were  confined  very  much  to  the  schools.  Baptists  were  not 
agitated  with  these  questions,  until  the  reformation  under 
Luther  occurred.  Soon  afterwards,  however,  they  were 
often  discussed  by  our  brethren,  and  ultimately  divided 
them  into  two  parties ;  the  one  assuming  Arminian  ground, 
and  known  as  General  Baptists ;  and  the  other  maintaining 
Calvinistic  ground,  and  known  as  Particular  Baptists.    To- 


44  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

gether  these  two  classes  have  always  formed  one  of  the 
largest  bodies  of  English  dissenters,  and  have  counted 
among  their  number,  many  of  the  most  distinguished  men 
England  has  ever  produced.  To  say  nothing  of  their  lay- 
men, such  as  Harrison,  Ludlow,  Lilburn,  Penn,  DeLaune, 
and  others,  their  list  of  ministers  was  most  brilliant. 
The  names  of  Bunyan,  Tombes,  Bampfield,  Gosnold, 
Knollys,  Denne,  Cox,  Jesse,  Du  Veil,  Dell,  Smyth, 
Helwisse,  Barbour,  Grantham,  E-ussell,  Gale,  Emlyn, 
Whiston,  Foster,  Toulmin,  Kiffin,  Steed,  Vaux,  the 
Collins',  Lamb,  Price,  Keats,  Harris,  Sutton,  Adams, 
Mann,  the  Stennetts,  Piggott,  Stinton,  Gill  and  Gifford 
— not  to  mention  multitudes  of  others — would  give  fame 
to  any  denomination  of  Christians,  in  any  age  of  the 
world.*  Had  these  great  men  "agreed  to  disagree"  on 
the  subject  of  predestination,  and  their  people  have 
mingled  freely  together,  their  differences  would  soon  have 
been  forgotten.  Unhappily  they  did  not,  and  they  were 
perpetuated  as  two  distinct  denominations. 

The  Baptist  immigrants  to  America  came  from  both 
these  classes,  and  for  a  season  associated  with  each  other, 
in  this  country,  indiscriminately.  When,  however.  Baptist 
principles  began  to  flourish  in  Virginia,  and  churches  to  be 
multiplied,  their  hereditary  differences  again  came  up,  and 
soon  they  separated  from  each  other,  and  General  Baptist 
churches  and  ministers,  and  Particular  Baptist  churches  and 
ministers,  were  scattered  alternately  throughout  the  whole 
land.  For  some  cause,  however,  not  now  readily  ascer- 
tained, they  assumed  here  new  names.  In  Virginia  they 
were  not,  as  in  England,  General  and  Particular,  but 
Separate  and  Regular  Baptists ;  but  their  doctrines  were 
the  same  as  before.  Anterior  to  the  formation  of  the 
General  Association,  essays  had  been  made  for  a  union 
between  these  two  parties,  which  were   conducted  with 

*  Benedict's  History  of  the  Baptists,  edition  1848,  pp.  220,  et  seq. 


INVIRGINIA.  45 

great  kindness,  but  which  were  not  entirely  successful. 
They  were  forwarded  earnestly,  by  brethren  on  both  sides. 
The  first  movement  in  this  direction  was  made  in  17G7. 
In  1769,  the  Separate  Baptist  Association,  the  Sandy 
Creek,  held  in  North  Carolina,  was  addressed  by  the 
Ketockton,  a  Regular  Baptist  Association  in  northern  Vir- 
ginia, as  follows : 

"  Beloved  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ : — The  bearers  of 
this  letter  [they  were  Rev.  Messrs.  Garret,  Mager  and 
Saunders]  can  acquaint  you  with  the  design  of  writing  it. 
Their  errand  is  peace,  and  their  business  is  a  reconciliation 
between  us,  if  there  is  any  difference  subsisting.  If  we 
are  all  Christians ;  all  Baptists ;  all  New  Lights  [a  recent 
name  of  reproach],  why  are  we  divided]  Must  the  little 
appellative  names.  Regular  and  Separate,  break  the  golden 
band  of  charity,  and  set  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Zion  at 
variance  %  '  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for 
brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity!'  But  how  bad  and 
how  bitter  it  is,  for  them  to  live  asunder  in  discord  !  To 
indulge  ourselves  in  prejudice,  is  surely  disorder;  and  to 
quarrel  about  nothing,  is  irregularity  with  a  witness.  O, 
dear  brethren,  endeavor  to  prevent  this  calamity  for  the 
future." 

The  subject  was  long  discussed,  and  a  union  only  pre- 
vented at  that  time,  by  an  apparent  necessity  of  settling  with 
more  deliberation  some  of  its  details.  This,  as  it  appears, 
vv^as  the  last  session  of  the  Sandy  Creek  Association.  The 
body  met  again  the  next  year,  but  only  to  arrange  for 
separating  into  three  hindral  bodies  :  the  churches  in  South 
Carolina  to  meet  and  organize  at  Saluda,  in  that  State ;  in 
North  Carolina,  at  Haw  River,  for  the  same  purpose ;  and 
in  Virginia,  to  meet  at  Thompson's,  in  Louisa  comity, 
wdiere  the  General  Association  w^as  finally  formed  ;*  after 
a  preliminary  meeting  at  Craig's,  in  Orange  county,  held 

*_Semple'3  History,  pp.  45-47. 


46  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

in  May  of  the  same  year  to  which  we  have  before  referred. 
Thus,  for  a  season,  the  desired  union  was,  as  appears,  pro- 
videntially postponed. 

Happily,  churches  and  ministers  of  hoth  parties  were 
found,  in  the  beginning,  occupying  places  in  the  General 
Association.  The  first  intimation  of  a  continued  desire  for 
the  establishment  of  a  union,  more  formally  and  perfectly, 
appeared  in  the  proceedings  of  that  body  during  the  session 
of  1773,  in  the  appointment  of  a  delegation,  consisting  of 
Eev.  Messrs.  Samuel  Harris,  E.  Craig,  John  Waller,  and 
David  Thompson,  to  visit  and  confer  with  the  Kehukee 
Association,  then  occupying  parts  of  lower  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina.*  In  1774,  the  subject  again  came  up,  on 
a  "  Question  concerning  a  Confession  of  Faith."  Such  a 
paper  was  decided  to  be  proper  for  Churches,  rather  than 
Associations.f  The  session  of  1775  was  rendered  unhappy 
by  a  discussion  and  defence,  not  of  the  union  proposed,  but 
of  the  points  of  difference  between  the  General  and  Par- 
ticular Baptists.  Samuel  Harris,  Jeremiah  Walker,  John 
Waller,  and  others,  defended  the  principles  of  the  former ; 
and  those  of  the  latter  Avere  sustained  by  William  Murphy, 
John  Williams,  E.  Craig,  and  others.^  The  discussions, 
conducted  with  great  ability,  candor  and  Christian  courtesy, 
were  continued  throughout  the  whole  of  Monday.  At  the 
close  of  the  day,  a  decision  was  made,  in  which  it  was 
found  that,  by  a  very  small  majority,  the  sentiment  of  the 
body  was  adverse  to  the  Arminian  opinion.  After  this 
decision,  the  friends  of  General  Baptist  principles,  consult- 
ing together,  determined  again  to  bring  up  the  subject  the 
next  day,  upon  the  question,  whether  their  opinions  would 
be  made,  by  their  brethren  on  the  other  side,  "  A  bar  to 
fellowship  and  communion."     When  they  met  on  Tuesday, 

*  Ut  supra,  p.  45.  t  Idem,  p.  57. 

X  Pamphlets  were  written  on  the  subject,  by  some  of  these  geutlemen,  which 
I  have  not  seen. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  47 

the  two  parties  assembled  separately.  Their  communica- 
tions were  all  by  messages,  either  verbal  or  written.  The 
scene  was  painful  in  the  highest  degi'ee.  Ultimately  the 
Arminian  party  addressed  the  other  as  follows : 

"  Dear  brethren, — A  steady  union  with  you  makes  us 
willing  to  be  more  explicit  in  our  answer  to  your  tenns  of 
reconciliation  proposed.  We  do  not  deny  the  former  part 
of  your  proposition,  respecting  particular  election  of  grace, 
still  retainino'  our  libertv  with  regard  to  construction.  And 
as  to  the  latter  part,  respecting  merit  in  the  creature,  we 
are  free  to  profess  that  there  is  none." 

To  this  very  gratifying  communication,  the  Predestina- 
rians  responded  thus : 

"  Dear  brethren, — Inasmuch  as  your  christian  fellowship 
seems  nearly  as  dear  to  us  as  our  lives,  and  seeing  our 
difficulties  concerning  your  principles  mth  respect  to  merit 
in  the  creature,  particular  election,  and  final  perseverance 
of  the  saints,  are  in  a  hopeful  measure  removing,  we  do 
willingly  retain  you  in  fellowship,  not  raising  the  least  bar ; 
but  do  heartily  wish  and  pray  that  God,  in  his  kind  provi- 
dence, in  his  own  time,  may  bring  it  about,  when  Israel 
shall  all  be  of  one  mind,  speaking  the  same  things." 

The  work  was  now  done.  The  parties  came  jo}^ully 
together.  Delight  was  in  every  heart.  The  Association 
resumed  and  finished  its  business.  Their  reunion  was  as 
happy  as  their  conflict  had  been  distressing.* 

On  the  dissolution  of  the  General  Association,  in  1783, 
the  subject  of  union  again  came  up,  on  a  renewed  propo- 
sition to  adopt  a  Declaration  of  Faith.  The  brethren 
present  fixed  upon  the  one  adopted  at  Philadelphia,  with 
various  modifications,  especially  with  respect  to  the  neces- 
sity that  all  should  embrace  its  teachings  in  every  particular. 
They  were  carefid  that  this  symbol  should  "  Not  usurp  a 
tyrannical  power  over  the  consciences  of  any."     They  said 

*  Sample's  History,  pp.  60,  61. 


48  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

and  recorded  the  decision :  "  We  do  not  mean  that  every 
person  is  to  be  bound  to  the  strict  observance  of  every  thing 
therein  contained,  nor  do  we  mean  to  make  it,  in  any 
respect,  superior  or  equal  to  the  Scriptures  in  matters  of 
faith  and  practice."  All  we  propose  is,  to  express  the 
opinion  that  it  is  "  The  best  human  composition  of  the  kind 
now  extant,  yet  it  shall  be  liable  to  alterations  whenever 
the  General  Committee,  in  behalf  of  the  Associations,  shall 
think  fit."* 

The  relations  of  brethren  and  churches,  on  both  sides, 
continued  to  be  more  and  more  intimate  and  aifectionate. 
The  desire  for  a  perfect  union  had  become  ardent  and  uni- 
versal. In  the  session  of  the  General  Committee  of  1786, 
the  following  proceeding  was  passed  unanimously :  "  It  is 
recommended  to  the  different  Associations,  to  appoint 
delegates  to  attend  the  next  General  Committee,  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  a  union."  f  The  Committee  assembled 
in  annual  session  at  Dover,  in  Goochland  county,  August 
10th,  1787.  All  the  Associations  in  the  State  were  fully 
represented.  The  record  of  proceedings,  as  stated  by 
Semple,  is  as  follows :  "  Agreeably  to  appointment,  the 
subject  of  the  union  of  Regular  [Particular]  and  Separate 
[General]  Baptists,  was  taken  up,  and  a  happy  and  effec- 
tual reconciliation  was  accomplished.  The  objections  on 
the  part  of  the  Separates  related  chiefly  to  matters  of 
trivial  importance,  and  had  been  for  some  time  removed. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  Regulars  complained  that  the 
Separates  were  not  sufficiently  explicit  in  their  principles, 
having  never  published  or  sanctioned  a  Confession  of  Faith. 
To  these  things  it  was  answered,  by  the  Separates,  that  a 
large  majority  of  them  believed  as  much  in  their  Confession 
of  Faith  as  they  did  themselves,  although  they  did  not 
entirely  approve  of  the  practice  of  religious  societies  bind- 
ing themselves  too  strictly  by  Confessions  of  Faith,  seeing 

*  Scrapie's  History,  pp.  59,  GO.  f  Semple's  History,  p.  73. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  49 

there  was  danger  of  their  finally  usurping  too  high  a  place ; 
that  if  there  were  among  them  some  who  leaned  too  much 
towards  the  Arminian  system,  they  were  generally  men  of 
exemplary  piety,  and  great  usefulness  in  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom ;  and  they  conceived  it  better  to  bear  with  some 
diversity  of  opinions  in  doctrines,  than  to  break  with  men 
whose  christian  deportment  rendered  them  amiable  in  the 
estimation  of  all  true  lovers  of  genuine  godliness.  Indeed 
that  some  of  them  had  now  become  fathers  in  the  gospel, 
who  previous  to  the  bias  which  their  minds  had  received, 
had  borne  the  brunt  and  heat  of  persecution ;  whose 
labors,  and  sufferings  God  had  blessed,  and  still  blessed,  to 
the  great  advancement  of  his  cause ;  and  that  to  exclude 
such  as  these  from  their  communion,  would  be  like  tearing 
the  limbs  from  the  body.  These,  and  such  like  arguments, 
were  agitated  both  in  public,  and  in  private,  so  that  all 
minds  were  much  mollified  before  the  final,  and  successful 
attempt  for  union.  The  terms  of  the  union  were  entered 
upon  the  minutes.  They  were  a  general  recognition  of  the 
principles  set  forth  in  the  Confession  of  Faith,  previously 
adopted,  with  limitations  and  explanations,  by  the  General 
Association.  After  considerable  debate,  as  to  the  propriety 
of  having  any  Confession  of  Faith  at  all,  the  report  of  the 
Committee  was  adopted,  with  the  following  explanation : 
"  To  prevent  the  Confession  of  Faith  from  usurping  a 
tyrannical  power  over  the  consciences  of  any,  we  [repeat 
that]  we  do  not  mean  [by  its  adoption]  that  every  person 
is  bound  to  the  strict  observance  of  everything  therein  con- 
tained, yet  that  it  holds  forth  the  essential  truths  of  the 
gospel,  and  [shows]  that  the  doctrine  of  salvation  by 
Christ,  and  free  and  unmerited  grace  alone,  ought  to  be 
believed  by  every  christian,  and  maintained  by  every 
minister  of  the  gospel.  Upon  these  terms  we  are  united, 
and  desire  that  hereafter  the  names.  Regular  and  Separate^ 
be  buried  in  oblivion ;  and  that  from  henceforth  we  shall 


50  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

be  known  by  the  name  of  '  The  United  Baptist  Churclies 
of  Christ.,  in  Virginia.'' ^^*  These  proceedings  were  con- 
ducted in  the  most  cordial,  and  admirable  spirit.  They 
filled  with  joy  those  who  were  present,  and  were,  by  all  the 
churches,  hailed  and  ratified  with  delight.  All  party  feel- 
ing was  instantly  banished,  and  never  has  any  one  denomi- 
nation been  more  harmonious  than  continued  to  be  all  The 
Early  Baptists  of  Virginia. 

The  other  subject  of  controversy  among  our  fathers,  was 
substantially,  the  doctrine  of  Episcopacy.  This,  also,  I 
have  said,  they  inherited  from  their  fathers.  It  came  from 
two  sources.  The  former  was  the  English  General  Baptists, 
among  whom  it  existed,  at  one  time,  for  a  century  or  more, 
but  not  in  the  diocesan  form  which  it  assumed  in  Virginia. 
"  Ever  attentive,"  says  Taylor,  "  to  Scripture  precedents,  it 
was  not  long  before  they  supposed  that  they  discovered,  in 
the  primitive  churches,  an  officer  superior  to  an  Elder. 
They  remarked  that  Barnabas,  Luke,  Timothy,  Titus,  and 
several  others,  were  fellow-laborers  with  the  apostles,  in  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel,  and  the  planting  and  regulating  of 
churches ;  and  that,  in  various  passages,  they  were  called 
apostles,  or,  in  English,  messengers  of  the  churches.  They 
thought  it  probable  that  the  Angels,  or  Messengers,  of  the 
seven  churches  in  Asia,  to  whom  the  author  of  the  Reve- 
lations addressed  his  epistles,  were  also  of  the  same  order. 
They  therefore  introduced  an  officer  into  their  system, 
whom  they  styled  a  Messenger.  He  was  generally  chosen 
by  an  Association  of  the  representatives  of  the  churches  in 
a  certain  district,  and  ordained  by  those  of  his  own  order, 
with  great  solemnity,  the  various  churches  keeping  seasons 
of  prayer  and  fasting.  Sometimes  a  particular  church 
chose  a  Messenger;  but  in  that  case  his  business  appears 
to  have  been  confined  to  preaching  the  gospel  where  it  was 
not  known,  and  regulating  such  churches  as  he  might  be 

*  Hist.  Ya.  Bapt.,  pp.  74,  75. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  51 

instrumental  in  plantin^]^.  It  is  indeed  probable,  tbat,  at 
the  first,  this  was  the  chief  object  of  their  appointment ; 
an  object  which  demanded  peculiar  attention  when  the 
nation  was  just  emerging  from  the  darkness  of  Popery,  and 
Prelacy,  and  the  rays  of  divine  truth  had  hardly  pierced 
the  gloom.  Fixed  pastors  could  not  conveniently  itinerate 
in  distant  parts  ;  and  it  would  have  been  thought  irregular 
for  unauthorized  persons  to  have  undertaken  it ;  but  the 
Messengers  stood  ready  for  this  necessary  work,  and  their 
office  called  them  to  it."  "  They  were  appointed,"  says 
Jeffrey,  "  for  the  gathering  of  churches,  and  the  establish- 
ment of  them.  But  when  churches  increased,  and  errors, 
and  irregularities  sprung  up  among  the  young  converts,  and 
inexperienced  ministers,  it  was  judged  expedient  to  extend 
the  Messengers'  work,  by  assigning  to  him  the  superin- 
tendance  and,  in  a  sense,  the  government  of  those  churches 
which  united  in  calling  him  to  the  office." 

The  duties  of  these  officers  are  thus  described  in  the 
Confession  of  1678: — "The  Bishops  have  the  government 
of  those  churches  that  had  suffrage  in  their  election,  and 
no  others  ordinarily;  as  also  to  preach  the  word  to  the 
world."  Mr.  Grantham  says,  "  their  ministry  is,  1,  to  plant 
churches  where  there  are  none ;  2,  to  set  in  order  such 
churches  as  want  officers  to  order  their  affairs ;  3,  to  assist 
faithful  pastors,  or  churches  against  usurpers,  and  those  that 
trouble  the  peace  of  particular  churches  by  false  doctrine." 
Hook  says  that  their  duty  was  "  to  plant  churches,  ordain 
officers,  set  in  order  things  that  were  wanting  in  all  the 
churches,  to  defend  the  gospel  against  gainsayers,  and  to 
travel  up  and  down  the  world  for  this  purpose."* 

Virginia  Baptist  Episcopacy  was,  however,  derived,  to  a , 
still  greater  extent,  from  another  source.     Great  numbers 
of  the  Baptists  of  that  day  were  reared  in  the  Episcopal 
church.     The  impressions  of  childhood  are  hard  to  efface. 

*  Benedict's  Hist.,  pp.  332,  333. 


52  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

Tliey  had  practically,  and  experimentally,  learned  the  way 
of  the  Lord  more  perfectly,  but  ecclesiastical  polity  they 
had  not  studied.  The  arguments  in  favor  of  the  hierarchy 
they  had  been  accustomed  to  admit  as  scriptural ;  and  now 
that  the  love  of  Christ  was  shed  abroad  in  their  hearts, 
they  were  most  anxious  to  do  all  which  appeared  to  them 
to  be  the  will  of  the  Lord.  The  subject  was  first  intro- 
duced into  the  General  Association,  at  its  session  in  1774, 
by  the  following  query : — "  Ought  all  the  ministerial  gifts, 
recorded  in  Ephesians  iv.,  11,  12,  13,  to  be  in  use  in  the 
present  time  1"  The  passage  in  question  reads,  it  will  be 
remembered,  as  follows : — "  And  he  gave  [in  the  Church] 
some  apostles  ;  and  some  prophets  ;  and  some  evangelists  ; 
and  some  pastors  and  teachers ; — for  the  perfecting  of  the 
saints ;  for  the  work  of  the  ministry ;  for  the  edifying  of 
the  body  of  Christ ; — till  we  all  come  in  the  unity  of  the 
faith,  and  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  to  a  per- 
fect man,  to  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fullness  of 
Christ."  After  considerable  discussion,  it  was  answered : 
"A  great  majority  suppose  that  all  the  ministerial  gifts 
recorded  in  the  said  scriptures  are,  and  ought  to  be,  still  in 
use  in  the  churches ;  although  we  pay  due  regard  to  the 
distinction  between  ordinary,  and  extraordinary  gifts."  * 

By  this  action  the  friends  of  episcopacy  had  obtained  a 
recognition  of  the  principle.  Their  purpose  now,  was  to 
carry  this  principle  out  into  practice,  at  as  early  a  day  as 
possible.  Nothing,  however,  could  be  done  until  the  meet- 
ing of  the  next  year,  when,  to  bring  it  up,  they  again  pro- 
posed the  same  inquiry  to  the  General  Association.  "After 
two  days'  debate,"  says  Dr.  Semple,  "  a  majority  decided 
that  it  ought  to  be  put  off  until  the  next  Association. "f 
Meantime,  warm  discussions  were  every  where  carried  on, 
whether  it  was  not  their  duty  to  originate  and   ordain 

*  Semple's  Hist.  Va.  Bapt,,  p.  56. 
t  Hist.  Va.  Bap.,  p.  57, 


I  N    V  I  R  G  I  N  I  A.  53 

ApodJes  of  the  churches.  Jeremiah  Walker,  wlio  first 
brought  forward  the  question,  was  its  ablest  advocate.  He 
wrote  a  pamphlet  in  its  defence,  entitled  "  Free  Thoughts," 
in  which  he  employed  most  of  the  arguments  commonly 
adduced  in  support  of  Episcopacy,  by  those  who  maintain 
that  form  of  ecclesiastical  polity,  and  with  which  you,  gen- 
tlemen, are  perfectly  familiar.  The  strongest  opponent  of 
the  measure  was  Reuben  Ford,  who,  in  a  pamphlet  of  much 
ability,  answered  the  arguments  of  Mr.  Walker.  The 
Association  convened,  and  the  discussion  commenced, 
during  which  both  these  pamphlets  were  read.*  The 
question  was  at  length  taken,  whether  "  the  said  offices 
are  now  in  use  in  Christ's  church  T'  Three  only  voted 
in  the  negative,  all  of  whom  immediately  declared  their 
submission  to  the  majority,  and  the  vote  was  recorded  as 
unanimous.  It  was  then  decided  "  that  the  said  offices 
be  immediately  established,  by  the  appointment  of  certain 
persons  to  fill  them."  The  action  of  the  body  shows,  how- 
ever, that  reference  was  had  exclusively  to  the  apostleship, 
which,  according  to  the  reasoning  of  all  prelatists,  is  per- 
petuated in  the  office  of  Bishops,  which  name,  however, 
they  chose  not  to  introduce.  The  Association  now  pro- 
ceeded to  elect  an  Apostle^  which  they  did  by  private  ballot, 
and  Samuel  Harris  w^as  unanimously  chosen.  The  next 
day  was  observed  by  the  whole  Association  as  a  solemn 
fast.  The  brethren  met,  and  proceeded  with  the  ordina- 
tion. Prayer  was  offered  successively  by  John  Waller, 
Elijah  Craig,  and  John  Williams ;  the  hands  of  e"\ery 
ordained  minister  present  were  laid  upon  him  ;  a  solemn 
charge  was  addressed  to  him  by  John  Waller  ;  and  the  for- 
malities closed  with  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  extended 
by  the  whole  Association.  All  that  part  of  Virginia  south 
of  James  river  was  fixed  as  his  diocese  ;  and  he  went  forth 

*  Can  these  pamphlets,  and  those  written  by  our  brethren  on  the  Arrainiun 
Controversy,  now  be  obtained? 


5-i  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

commended  to  the  grace  of  God,  by  his  brethren.  Thus  was 
inaugurated  the  first  Baptist  Bishop  in  America,  and  the  first 
Baptist  Diocesan  Bishop  the  world  ever  saw. 

But,  unhappily,  he  was  not  the  last.  In  the  autumn  of  the 
same  year  another  meeting  of  the  Association  was  held,  and 
to  officiate  in  that  part  of  the  state  north  of  James  river,  with 
like  forms  and  observances,  John  Waller  and  Elijah  Craig 
were  solemnly  elected,  and  ordained  as  Apostles.  The 
duties  assigned  these  apostles  were  "  To  pervade  the 
churches  ;  to  do,  or  at  least  see  to,  the  work  of  ordination  ; 
and  to  set  in  order  things  that  were  wanting ;  and  to  make 
report  to  the  next  Association."  As  a  rule  of  discipline 
applicable  to  them,  the  following  was  recorded : — "  If  our 
Messenger  or  Aiiostle  shall  transgress  in  any  manner,  he 
shall  be  liable  to  dealing,  in  any  church  where  the  trans- 
gression is  committed ;  and  the  said  church  is  instructed  to 
call  helps  from  two  or  three  neighboring  churches,  and  if 
by  them,  found  a  transgressor,  a  General  Conference  of  the 
churches  shall  be  called  to  excommunicate,  or  to  restore 
him."* 

We  now  behold  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia  occupying 
a  new  position.  They  are  prelatists,  and  under  the  guid- 
ance of  three  Aj^ostJes,  or  Diocesaoi  Bishops.  They  all  went 
forth,  in  this  form,  to  their  work.  The  churches  and 
brethren  generally,  had  never,  it  seems,  been  entirely  satis- 
fied as  to  the  correctness  of  this  radical  change  in  their 
polity.  It  was  not,  therefore,  tacitly  accepted.  Discus- 
sions and  animadversions  were  renewed,  and  continued, 
Tliey  were  no  longer  confined  to  their  annual  meetings. 
The  whole  subject,  though  now  almost  too  late,  was  at 
length  thoroughly  studied.  A  change  in  the  public  mind, 
was  soon  apparent.  Our  brethren  learned  that  Episcopacy 
is  derived  wholly  from  the  old  temple  service,  under  the  dis- 
pensation of  Moses,  as  Presbytery  is  from  the  synagogue 

*  Seraple's  Hist.  Vir,  Baptists,  pp.  58,  59. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  55 

system  that  prevailed  in  the  later  ages  of  the  Hebrew  com- 
monwealth; that  therefore,  they  are  both  forms  of  Judaism, 
which  the  christian  church  cannot  adopt  without  a  depar- 
ture from  the  law  of  Christ,  and,  consequently,  irreparable 
injury  ;  that  all  christians  are  now  priests,  and  Christ  the 
only  liigh  Priest ;  and  that  priesthood  in  any  sense  not 
common  to  christians  generally,  does  not  enter  at  all  into 
the  gospel  ministry  ;  that  the  Apostles,  as  soon  as  they  had 
planted  churches,  appointed  for  them  pastors  and  teachers, 
who  were  their  substitutes  in  all  respects,  except  those  in 
which  they  were  invested  with  a  peculiar  and  extraordi- 
nary commission  ;  that  the  Apostles  were  appointed  especi- 
ally as  a  jury  of  witnesses,  to  bear  testimony  to  the  ministry, 
miracles,  and  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ ;  that  in  those 
primary  respects,  when  they  died,  their  office  died  with 
them  ;  that  the  Apostles  were  divinely  inspired  to  reveal 
and  communicate  truths  not  before  known,  which  are  re- 
corded in  the  New  Testament,  and  when  that  book  was 
finished,  there  could  be  no  more  apostles  ;  that  from  the 
very  nature  of  the  office,  they  could  have  had  no  official 
successors ;  that  the  persons  appointed  by  the  Apostles  to 
fill  their  places,  as  far  as  they  could  be  filled,  were  the  first 
christian  pastors,  evangelists  and  teachers,  and  that  the 
churches  once  organized,  then  by  the  instructions  of  the 
Apostles,  each  church  did  for  itself,  and  others,  what  in  the 
beginning  the  Apostles  must  necessarily  do  for  them  ;  and 
that  when  the  original  twelve  passed  away,  there  were  no 
more  apostles  ;  not  only  because  the  thing  was  impossible 
in  itself,  but  because  there  could  be  no  further  use  for  the 
office.  They  concluded,  therefore,  that  this  whole  proceed- 
ing was  entirely  unauthorized  by  the  word  of  God,  and 
were,  consequently,  not  prepared  to  receive  the  apostolic 
services  of  their  lately  appointed  brethren.  These,  and 
like  considerations,  were  the  more  efi'ective,  because  none 
of  those  brethren  whose  great  personal  influence,  and  extra- 


56  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

ordinary  eloquence,  had  carried  the  measure,  and  who  pro- 
bably were  themselves  ambitious  of  the  distinction,  were 
chosen.  They,  therefore,  retired  from  the  discussion,  and 
left  the  public  mind  to  the  fidl  force  of  these  counter 
arguments.  Nor  were  the  apostles  themselves  very  confi- 
dent that  their  office  was  now  fully  justified  by  the  divine 
word.  Naked  episcopacy  was,  for  reasons  sufficiently 
apparent,  especially  unpopular.  On  this  account,  no  doubt, 
it  had  been  advocated,  and  carried  among  the  Baptists, 
under  the  name  of  apostleship.  This  fact  now  became 
known,  and  had,  doubtless,  its  effect  upon  the  public 
mind.  Under  these  circumstances  the  General  Association 
assembled  the  next  year.  The  apostles  reported  in  despond- 
ing terms^  and  ceased  to  act  in  that  capacity.  The  whole 
plan  fell  into  a  state  of  dissuetude.  Without  any  rescind- 
ing action,  or  other  adverse  movement,  the  episcopacy,  as 
if  by  common  consent,  was  tacitly  abandoned.  At  a  subse- 
quent session  the  subject  was  called  up,  and  after  consid- 
eration, it  was  decided,  and  entered  on  record,  "  That  the 
office  of  apostles,  like  that  of  prophets,  was  the  effect  of 
miraculous  inspiration,  and  does  not  belong  to  ordinary 
times."  In  this  decision  there  was  a  unanimous  concur- 
rence, and  we  hear  no  more  of  the  episcopacy  of  the  early 
Baptists  of  Virginia.* 

These  two,  we  have  seen,  were  the  only  subjects  of  any 
importance  in  which  our  Virginia  fathers  were  engaged 
in  controversy  among  themselves.  Upon  both  they  at 
length  harmonised  perfectly.  Regular,  and  Separate 
Baptists,  as  such,  were  known  no  more.  All  were 
United  Baptists.  Apostleship  as  an  office  in  our  churches, 
ceased  to  be  remembered,  except  as  a  vagary  into  which 
they  had  at  one  period,  for  a  short  time,  strangely,  most 
unaccountably  fallen.    To  bring  to  pass  these  results  several 

*  Semple's  Dist.,  p.  59. 


IN"    VIRGINIA.  57 

powerful  causes  were  in  operation,  to  some  of  which  we 
may  barely  allude. 

The  first  cause,  beyond  the  peculiar  favor  and  blessing  of 
God,  of  the  perfect  union  at  which  all  our  fathers  arrived, 
and  I  name  it  first,  because  it  is  tlie  most  important  of 
them  all,  was  the  ardent  christian  feeling  by  which,  as  a 
whole,  they  were  always  actuated.  They  were  almost  per- 
petually in  a  state  of  revival.  Brotherly  love  burned  in 
their  hearts.  .No  jealousies,  or  antagonism,  existed  among 
them.  "  Each  esteemed  other  better  than  himself."  They 
sought  only  the  triumph  of  truth,  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
salvation  of  men.  It  was  not  difficult,  therefore,  for  them 
to  harmonize  on  any  subject  connected  with  the  religion  of 
Christ. 

Another  cause  was  the  indiscriminate  persecutions  waged 
against  them  by  the  state  church.  They  all  suflfered  to- 
gether, and  as  Baptists.  AVhether  General,  or  Particular, 
or  as  the  same  parties  came  to  be  called  here.  Separate  or 
Regular  Baptists,  or  whether  the  advocates,  or  the  oppo- 
nents of  the  episcopacy,  which  they  chose  to  denominate 
apostleship,  made  no  difference.  They  found  themselves 
together  before  the  courts,  in  the  jails,  and  in  the  hands  of 
the  officers  of  the  law.  As  fellow  sufterers  for  Christ,  they 
became  personally,  strongly  endeared  to  each  other.  To 
these  facts  you  will  have  observed  constant  references  were 
made  in  their  negotiations.  They  prompted  that  afiecting 
remark  contained  in  one  of  their  official  communications, 
before  noticed,  in  which  one  party  says  to  the  other,  in 
answer  to  an  earnest  overture  for  union,  "  Your  christian 
fellowship  seems  nearly  as  dear  to  us  as  our  lives."*  Noth- 
ing is  more  natural  than  that  such  men  under  such  circum- 
stances, whatever  their  original  differences,  should  arrive 
at  a  harmony  as  complete  as  any  of  which  human  beings 
are  capable. 

*  Semple's  Hist.,  p.  61. 


58  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

Another,  and  the  last  cause  which  I  shall  mention,  of 
the  happy  termination  of  their  controversies,  was  the  neces- 
sity of  concentrating  all  their  strength  to  resist  successfully, 
the  injuries  sought  to  be  inflicted  upon  them  by  their 
common  persecutors,  and  to  gain  the  ends  they  proposed, 
with  respect  to  the  government  of  the  state,  of  which  I 
shall  presently  more  fully  speak.  What  in  these  respects 
could  they  hope  to  accomplish  if  divided,  and  in  conflict 
among  themselves  1  They  spurned  such  petty  warfare,  and 
generously  united  their  forces,  sacrificing  however,  no  prin- 
ciple, for  none  was  really  involved,  and  became  one  harmo- 
nious and  gallant  army,  opposing  to  their  adversaries  an 
unbroken  front.  The  close  of  the  last  century  saw  all  the 
Baptists  of  Virginia  in  harmony,  prosperity  and  happiness. 

VI.  We  now  proceed  to  consider  the  influence  of  the 
Baptists  in  the  formation  of  the  government  of  the  state. 

"  The  share  which  the  Baptists  took  in  shoring  up  the 
fallen  liberties  of  England,  and  in  infusing  new  vigor,  and 
liberality  into  the  constitution  of  that  country,"  says  Dr. 
Williams,  speaking  of  the  times  of  Cromwell,  and  the  events 
of  that  period,  "is  not  generally  acknowledged.  It  is 
scarcely  even  known.  The  dominant  party  in  the  church 
and  in  the  state,  at  the  restoration,  became  the  historians. 
And  when  the  man,  and  not  the  lion,  was  the  painter,  it 
was  easy  to  foretell  with  what  party  aU  the  virtues,  all  the 
talents,  and  all  the  triumphs  would  be  found.  When  our 
principles  shall  have  won  their  way  to  a  more  general 
acceptance,  the  share  of  the  Baptists  in  the  achievements 
of  that  day  wiR  be  disinterred,  like  many  other  forgotten 
truths,  from  the  ruins  of  history.  Then  it  will,  we  believe, 
be  found  that  while  dross,  such  as  has  alloyed  the  purest 
churches  in  the  best  ages,  may  have  existed  in  our  denomi- 
nation, yet  the  body  was  composed  of  ]3ure  and  scriptural 
christians,  who  contended  manfuUy,  with  some  bitter  sufl'er- 


IN    VIRGINIA.  59 

ings,  for  the  rights  of  conscience,  and  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus ;  that  to  them  English  liberty  owes  a  debt  it  can 
never  acknowledge  ;  and  that  amongst  them  christian  free- 
dom found  its  earliest,  and  some  of  its  staunchest,  its  most 
consistent,  and  its  most  disinterested  champions."*  These 
statements  are  eminently  applicable  to  Virginia.  The 
Baptists  in  this  colony  were  distinguished  for  their  patriot- 
ism. They  were  ever  ready  to  "  Give  unto  Ca:sar  the 
things  that  are  Csesar's."  But  they  had  suffered  too  much 
not  to  be  equally  ready  to  resist  Caesar,  when  he  attempted 
to  usurp  "  the  things  that  are  God's."  An  opportunity 
now  occurred  in  which  there  was  a  probability  that  their 
political  doctrines  might  be  incoi'porated  into  the  civil 
government.  Manfully  did  they  essay  the  achievement, 
and  most  glorious  was  their  success.  With  the  assistance 
of  some  portions,  and  on  some  points,  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  they  overthrew  the  state  establishment,  not  as  a 
church,  for  this  they  did  not  desire  to  do,  but  as  an  engine 
of  the  government ;  they  severed  Episco]3acy  from  the  civil 
power,  and  left  it,  and  its  ministry,  to  stand  upon  their  own 
merits  ;  they  resisted  successfully,  the  incorporation  of  any 
denomination  of  Christians  as  such,  and  they  defeated  all 
those  measures  by  which  it  was  sought  to  tax  the  people 
for  the  support  of  the  ministers  of  religion,  in  connection 
with  any  of  the  Churches  of  the  Colony ;  and  severing  the 
unholy  union  between  Church  and  State,  they  gave  to  the 
commonwealth,  full  religious  liberty.  These,  I  am  aware, 
are  bold  declarations.  By  many,  they  may  be  deemed 
wholly  untenable.  Indulge  me,  therefore,  gentlemen,  while 
I  justify  them  all,  by  a  brief  statement  of  the  facts  in  the 
case. 

The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia,  did  not  form  their  pur- 
poses with  relation  to  the  government,  carelessly,  nor 
hastily.     They  were  the  result  of  mature  thought,  protracted 

*  Benedict's  History  of  the  Baptists,  edition  1843,  p.  322. 


60  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

consultation,  and  most  earnest  prayer.  Nor  were  their 
measures  sudden,  or  rash.  They  spurned  rebelhon,  and  all 
revolutionary,  or  violent  action.  They  did  not  contemplate 
for  themselves,  honor,  or  place,  or  power.  Their  appeal  was 
to  the  legally  constituted  authorities,  and  they  asked  only 
for  their  just  rights  as  men,  as  citizens,  and  as  christians. 
These  they  never  abandoned,  but  sought  with  resistless 
energy  and  perseverance.  I  speak  not  now  of  the  separate 
individual  action  of  the  citizens,  many  thousands  of  whom, 
in  every  department  of  society,  civil  and  military,  were  com- 
municants in  our  churches.  These  all,  since  at  that  time, 
every  man  was  a  politician,  exerted  each  in  his  sphere,  a 
direct  influence  over  the  governing  power.  I  confine  my- 
self to  a  statement  of  their  organised  and  systematic  action 
as  a  denomination.  To  those  who  have  any  competent 
knowledge  of  the  history  of  the  times,  it  is  well  known  that 
the  General  Association  of  Virginia,  afterwards  the  General 
Committee,  and  finally,  the  General  Meeting  of  Corres- 
pondence, entered  fully  into  all  the  political  questions  of 
the  times,  especially  those  having  any  direct  bearing  upon 
their  civil,  or  rehgious  liberty.  They  were  regularly  brought 
before  them,  carefully  considered,  freely  discussed,  and 
their  decisions  recorded.  These  bodies,  as  we  shall  see, 
spread  themselves  over  the  whole  formative  period  of  the 
government,  during  all  which  time,  they  had  by  annual 
appointment,  as  circumstances  seemed  to  demand,  from  one 
to  five  commissioners,  in  attendance  upon  the  meetings  of 
the  Convention,  and  upon  every  session  of  the  State  Legis- 
lature. Of  their  proceedings,  our  limits  will  permit  us  to 
present  but  very  brief  sketches. 

The  General  Association  of  Virginia,  of  that  period,  was 
an  organization  altogether  diff'erent  from  that  of  the  present 
day.  On  this  subject,  however,  you,  gentlemen,  need  no 
special  information  beyond  what  has  already  been  given  in 
our  general  and  incidental  references  to  the  subject.    During 


IN    VIRGINIA.  6l 

the  first  three  years  of  its  existence,  the  only  references  to 
the  political  condition  of  the  country,  contained  in  the  im- 
perfect records  of  their  proceedings  that  remain,  had  regard 
to  the  violent  persecutions  then  waged  against  Baptists  by 
the  Colonial  Government.  Measures  were  taken  to  assist 
their  imprisoned  and  suffering  brethren ;  days  of  fasting 
and  prayer  were  appointed,  and  devoutly  observed ;  and  spe- 
cial supplications  were  solicited  and  constantly  offered  in 
behalf  of  their  "poor  blind  persecutors,"  and,  that  God 
would  graciously  grant  his  people  "  a  happy  issue  out  of  all 
their  troubles."  Meantime  the  controversy  of  the  Colonies 
with  the  mother  country,  which  had  so  long  been  pending, 
became  deeper,  and  more  intense.  Virginia  was  now  heav- 
ing like  a  volcano,  whose  pent  up  fires,  it  was  evident,  could 
not  much  longer  be  restrained. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  General  Association  met 
at  the  Dover  Church,  in  Manokin  Town,  the  fourth  Satur- 
day in  May,  1775.  Sixty  churches  were  present  by  their 
messengers.  Their  interview  was  characterized  by  long, 
and  earnest  consultations,  as  to  the  measures  proper  for 
them  to  adopt.  Such  men  were  present  as  Harris,  Metcalf, 
Lovell,  Hargitt,  Maneese,  Chastaine,  Johnston,  Walker, 
Ellington,  Williams,  Childs,  Thompson,  Trebble,  Waller, 
Burruss,  Ford,  Webber,  the  Craigs,  Bledsoe,  Card,  T-s^^'- 
man,  Bennett,  Eve,  Munroe,  Peyton,  Holtsclaugh,  With- 
ers, Marshall  and  Pickett.  They  determined  to  address  the 
State  Convention  soon  to  be  assembled,  to  consider  the  con- 
dition of  the  country  generally,  and  of  Virginia  particularly. 
They  decided  that  the  memorial  should  be  carefully  pre- 
pared, and  to  give  time  for  this  pui-pose,  they  adjourned  for 
three  months,  and  met  again  with  the  Church  at  Du  Puy's, 
in  Cumberland,  now  Powhattan  county,  on  the  second  Satur- 
day in  August  of  that  year.  These  sessions,  as  subsequent 
events  have  shown,  were  among  the  most  important  ever 
held  by  any  Christian  people,  since  the  days  of  the  Apostles. 


62  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

In  reference  to  them,  Dr.  Semple  remarks :  "  The  discon- 
tents in  America,  arising  from  British  oppression,  were 
drawing  to  a  crisis."  "  This  was  a  very  favorable  season  for 
the  Baptists.  Having  been  much  ground  under  British 
laws."  "  They  were  to  a  man,  favorable  to  any  revolution 
by  which  they  could  obtain  freedom  of  religion."* 

The  memorial  was  presented,  considered,  and  adopted. 
It  contemplated  two  objects;  the  freedom  of  the  Colony 
from  British  rule,  and  the  freedom  of  religion  among  the 
people  of  the  Colony.  The  former  of  these  objects  is  thus 
noticed  in  the  Journals  of  the  Convention.  "  An  address 
from  the  Baptists  of  this  Colony  was  presented  to  the  Con- 
vention and  read,  setting  forth  that,  however  distingmshed 
from  their  countrymen  by  appellations  and  sentiments  of  a 
religious  nature,  they  nevertheless  consider  themselves  as 
members  of  the  same  community,  in  respect  to  matters  of  a 
civil  nature,  and  embarked  in  the  same  common  cause ;  that 
alarmed  at  the  oppression  which  hangs  over  America,  they 
had  considered  what  part  it  would  be  proper  for  them  to 
take  in  the  unhappy  contest,  and  had  determined  that  in 
some  cases,  it  is  lawful  to  go  to  war ;  and,  that  we  ought  to 
make  a  military  resistance  to  Great  Britain^  in  her  unjust  in- 
vasion, tyrannical  oppression,  and  repeated  hostilities  ;f  that 
their  brethren  had  liberty  at  discretion,  to  enlist,  without 
incurring  the  censure  of  their  religious  community ;  and 
under  the  circumstances  many  had  enlisted  as  soldiers,  and 
that  many  more  were  ready  to  join  the  army;"  that  their 
ministers  would  encourage  their  young  men  to  enter  the 
service  of  their  country,  and  desired  for  themselves,  permis- 
sion to  serve  the  army  in  the  capacity  of  Chaplains.:]:  This 
was  the  Convention  which  instructed  our  delegates  in  Con- 
gress, to  declare  independence,  an  act  upon  which  Virginia 

*  History  of  Virginia  Baptists,  p.  62. 

t  It  will  be  remembered  that  Lord  Dunmore  was  then  desolating  the  coast 
of  Virginia.  X  Journals,  p.  17. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  63 

patriotism  has  always  so  much  prided  itself.  To  what  extent 
that  body  was  moved  by  the  Baptists,  to  give  this  instiTic- 
tion,  I  leave  to  be  decided  by  every  man  for  himself  If  that 
action  was  honorable  to  the  Convention,  it  was  still  more 
honorable  to  the  Baptists,  who  were  prior  to  them  in  the 
movement,  and  who  boldly  urged  it  as  a  duty  upon  their 
attention. 

The  second  object  contemplated  in  this  address  was 
"  Religions  freedom  "  for  the  people.  To  this  end  they  drew 
up,  and  embodied  in  their  memorial,  a  formal  "  Decla- 
ration of  principles  in  relation  to  civil  government ;  the  most 
striking  features  of  which  were  as  follows : — "  We  hold  that 
the  mere  toleration  of  religion  by  the  civil  government,  is 
not  sufficient;  that  no  State  rehgious  establishment  ought 
to  exist ;  that  all  religious  denominations  ought  to  stand 
upon  the  same  footing ;  and,  that  to  all  alike  the  protection 
of  the  government  should  be  extended,  securing  to  them 
the  peaceable  enjoyment  of  their  own  religious  principles 
and  modes  of  worship.* 

Not  to  speak  further  of  the  patriotic  movements  of  our 
Fathers,  with  regard  to  the  freedom  of  the  country  from 
political  vassalage,  let  us  consider  what  they  proposed  for 
the  cause  of  Christ.     They  sought, 

1.  That  religion  should  be  free  absolutely,  in  its  doctrine, 
and  ordinances,  from  any  restraint  whatever,  exercised  by 
the  civil  power. 

2.  That  the  State  religious  establishment  should  be  dis- 
continued, and  as  such,  exist  no  more. 

3.  That  no  favor  should  be  shown  by  the  State  to  one 
religious  denomination  more  than  to  another. 

4.  That  all  should  receive  alike,  the  protection  of  the 
civil  government. 

Their  reasons  for  these  principles,  they  presented  in  a 
subsequent  paper,  to  the  Legislature.     In  that  paper  they 

*  Seiuple's  History  of  Virginia  Baptists,  p.  62. 


64  EAELY    BAPTISTS 

said : — "  We  hold  it  for  a  fundamental  and  unalienable  truth, 
that  the  religion  of  every  man  must  be  left  to  the  convic- 
tion and  conscience  of  every  man ;  and  it  is  the  right  of 
every  man  to  exercise  it  as  these  may  dictate.  This  right 
is,  in  its  nature,  an  inalienable  right.  It  is  inalienable, 
because  what  is  here  a  right  towards  man,  is  a  duty  towards 
the  Creator.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  man  to  render  to  the 
Creator,  such  homage,  and  such  only,  as  he  believes  to  be 
acceptable  to  him.  This  duty  is  precedent,  both  in  order  of 
time  and  degree  of  obligation,  to  the  claims  of  civil  society. 
Before  any  man  can  be  considered  as  a  member  of  civil 
society,  he  must  be  considered  as  a  subject  of  the  Governor 
of  the  Universe.  And  if  a  member  of  civil  society,  who 
enters  into  any  subordinate  association,  must  always  do  it 
with  a  reservation  of  his  duty  to  the  general  authority, 
much  more  must  every  man  who  becomes  a  member  of  any 
particular  civil  society,  do  it  with  a  saving  of  his  allegiance 
to  the  Universal  Sovereign.  We  maintain,  therefore,  that 
in  matters  of  religion,  no  man's  right  is  abridged  by  the 
institution  of  civil  society;  and  that  religion  is  wholly 
exempt  from  its  cognizance."  "  If  religion  be  exempt  from 
the  authority  of  the  society  at  large,  still  less  can  it  be  sub- 
ject to  that  of  the  legislative  body.  The  latter  are  but  the 
creatures,  and  vice-gerents  of  the  former.  Their  jurisdic- 
tion is  both  derivative,  and  limited.  [It  is  derived  from 
the  will  of  the  people  they  represent.]  It  is  limited  [by  the 
extent  of  the  authority  conferred.  It  is  limited]  with  re- 
gard to  the  co-ordinate  departments.  More  necessarily  it  is 
limited  with  regard  to  the  constituents.  The  [creation,  and] 
preservation  of  a  free  government  requires,  not  merely  that 
the  metes,  and  bounds,  which  separate  each  department  of 
power,  be  invariably  maintained,  but  more  especially  that 
neither  of  them  be  suffered  to  overleap  the  great  barrier 
which  defends  the  rights  of  the  people.  The  rulers  who 
are  guilty  of  such  an  encroachment,  exceed  the  commission 


IN    VIRGINIA.  65 

from  which  they  derive  tlieir  authority,  and  arc  tyrants. 
The  people  who  submit  to  it,  are  governed  by  laws  made 
neither  by  themselves,  nor  by  any  authority  derived  from 
them,  and  are  slaves."  "  If '  all  men  are  by  nature,  equally 
free,  and  independent,'*  all  men  are  to  be  considered  as 
entering  into  society  on  equal  conditions ;  as  relinquishing 
no  more,  and  therefore  retaining  no  less,  one  than  another, 
of  their  natural  rights  ;  above  all  are  they  to  be  considered 
as  retaining  an  equal  title  to  the  free  exercise  of  rehgion, 
according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience.  Whilst  we  assert 
for  ourselves  a  freedom  to  embrace,  to  profess,  and  to  observe 
the  religion  which  we  believe  to  be  of  divine  origin,  we 
cannot  deny  an  equal  freedom  to  those  whose  minds  have 
not  yet  yielded  to  the  evidence  which  has  convinced  us.  If 
this  freedom  be  abused,  it  is  an  offence  against  God,  not 
against  man.  To  God,  therefore,  and  not  to  man,  must  an 
account  be  rendered."  An  established  religion  "  implies 
either  that  the  civil  magistrate  is  a  competent  judge  of 
religious  truths,  or  that  he  may  employ  religion  as  an  en- 
gine of  civil  polity.  The  first  is  an  arrogant  pretension, 
falsified  by  the  extravagant  opinions  of  rulers  in  all  ages, 
and  throughout  the  world ;  the  second,  an  unhallowed  per- 
version of  the  means  of  salvation.']' 

These  principles,  were  at  that  time,  and  had  been  for  a 
thousand  years,  as  all  who  have  read  history  must  know, 
denounced  by  all  other  denominations,  as  the  rankest 
heresy,  both  religious  and  political.  None  in  the  Old 
World  but  Baptists,  had  ever  ventured  to  avow  them,  and 
there  they  paid  with  their  lives  for  their  presumptuous 
daring.  In  the  New  World,  no  where  but  in  Baptist  Rhode 
Island,  had  they  been  adopted.  Boldly  did  our  brethren 
assume  their  grounds,  and  ably  did  they  maintain  them. 
Our  brethren  of  other  churches,  anxious  as  they  now  are  to 
share  in  the  honors  of  these  measures,  were  then,  whatever 

*  Declaration  of  Kiglits,  Article  1,  t  Scmple,  p.  435,  et.  seq. 

5 


QQ  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

might  have  been  their  private  thoughts,  especially  prudent. 
The  Presbyterians  were  at  that  time,  a  small  but  influential 
denomination  in  Virginia.  As  early  as  1740,  they  began 
their  settlements.  And  their  churches  were  composed 
mostly  of  Scotch  and  Irish  people,  and  their  descendants. 
They  were  located  at  first,  mostly  "  among  the  hills,  and  on 
the  western  side  of  the  Blue  Ridge."  At  this  time,  how- 
ever, they  were  found  in  nearly  all  the  counties  of  the 
Colony.  The  Hanover  Presbytery,  which  had  its  name 
from  that  of  the  county  in  which  their  most  distinguished 
minister,  Mr.  Davies,  resided,  had  for  two  years  previously, 
petitioned  the  Colonial  Legislature ;  but  their  addresses 
were  indefinite,  having  regard  mainly,  to  their  desire  to  be 
delivered  from  Episcopal  predominance  and  rule.  The  con- 
flict then  commencing  with  Great  Britain,  was  to  their 
mind  of  dubious  result.  They  unhappily  appeared  at  least, 
unwilling  to  assume  a  position,  from  which,  should  we  fail 
to  achieve  our  liberties,  they  might  not  be  able  readily  to 
recede.  For  these,  then  startling  doctrines,  declarations, 
purposes,  all,  whether  they  involved  honor  or  dishonor, 
deliverance  or  chains,  life  or  death,  tJie  Baptists,  and  the 
Baptists  alone,  were  then  held  hij  others,  and  held  themselves 
responsible. 

Their  memorial  setting  forth  these  principles,  manifest- 
ing their  justice,  and  urging  their  adoption,  was  placed  in 
the  hands  of  Bev.  Messrs  Jeremiah  Walker,  John  Williams, 
and  George  Boberts,  who  were  appointed  to  attend  the 
meeting  of  the  Convention,  remain  at  the  Capitol,  mingle, 
and  converse  with  the  members,  and  to  employ  every  honor- 
able means  to  procure  the  ends  proposed.  And  most  faith- 
fully did  these  gentlemen  perform  the  duty  assigned  them. 
With  three  leading  members  of  the  Convention  they  formed 
an  immediate  acquaintance,  all  of  whom,  except  the  last, 
entered  fully  into  their  spirit.  This  acquaintance,  which 
led   the   gentlemen   in   question   to   co-operate  with   our 


IN"    VIKGIXIA.  67 

churches,  and  people,  resulted  in  the  liappiest  consequences. 
To  the  end  they  stood  by  our  fathers  in  every  measure  they 
brought  forward.  They  were  Thomas  Jefferson,  James 
Madison,  and  Patrick  Henry.  Under  these  auspices,  their 
memorial  was  presented  to  the  Convention.  The  ceremo- 
nial was  imposing,  and  the  reading  produced  a  most  extra- 
ordinary, and  instant  effect.  An  impression  was  made 
which  could  not  be  effaced.  On  the  contrary,  it  continued 
to  deepen,  and  to  expand  itself,  more  and  more,  until  in 
every  sense  Virginia  was  free.  That  I  do  not  too  highly 
color  this  picture,  may  be  clearly  seen  by  the  testimony  of 
even  our  warmest  opponents  themselves.  Referring  to  the 
memorial,  and  its  consequences,  the  Annalist,  for  example, 
of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia,  says : — "  The  storm 
which  had  so  long  been  gathering,  burst  upon  America,  and 
the  first  blood  was  spilled  at  Lexington.  Every  colony  was 
speedily  on  the  alert,  and  a  voluntary  convention  of  the 
delegates  to  the  Virginia  Legislature,  meeting  after  its  ad- 
journment, succeeded  the  last  Royal  Assembly  that  w^as 
ever  held  in  the  Ancient  Dominion.  "  The  Baptists,'^  he 
adds,  "  were  not  slow  in  discovering  the  advantageous  posi- 
tion in  which  the  political  troubles  of  the  country  had 
placed  them.  Their  numerical  strength  was  such  as  to 
make  it  important  to  both  sides,  to  secure  their  influence  ; 
they  knew  this,  and  therefore  determined  to  turn  the  cir- 
cumstances to  their  profit  as  a  sect.  Persecution  had  taught 
them  not  to  love  the  establishment,  and  they  now  saw  be- 
fore them,  a  reasonable  prospect  of  overturning  it  entirely. 
In  their  Association  they  had  calmly  discussed  the 
matter,  and  resolved  on  their  coiu'se ;  in  this  course  they 
were  consistent  to  the  end."  "  Now,"  he  continues,  "  com- 
menced the  assault.  Inspired  with  the  ardors  of  a  patriot- 
ism which  accorded  with  their  interest ;  or  willing  to  avail 
themselves  of  a  favorable  opportunity  to  present  in  their 


68  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

case  an  advantageous  contrast  to  a  part  of  the  Church,* 
they  addressed  the  Convention,  and  informed  that  body 
that  their  religious  tenets  presented  no  obstacle  to  their 
taking  up  arms  and  fighting  for  the  country ;  and  they  ten- 
dered the  services  of  their  pastors,  in  promoting  the  enlist- 
ment of  the  youth  of  their  religious  persuasion.  They 
presented  also  to  the  Convention  a  petition,  in  which  they 
made  the  certainly  reasonable  request,  that  they  might  be 
allowed  to  worship  •  God  in  their  own  way,  without  inter- 
ruption ;  that  they  might  be  permitted  to  maintain  [thus 
slightingly  he  speaks  of  Baptist  grievances,  and  appeals] 
their  own  ministers  separate  from  others ;  that  they  might 
be  married,  and  buried,  and  the  like,  without  paying  the 
clergy  of  other  denominations."  He  closes  by  stating,  and 
to  this  I  invite  your  particular  attention,  "  A  complimen- 
tary answer  was  returned  to  their  [the  Baptists']  address, 
[by  the  Convention]f  and  an  order  was  made  that  the  sec- 
tarian clergy  should  have  the  privilege  of  performing  divine 
service  to  their  respective  adherents  in  the  army,  equally 
with  the  regular  chaplains  of  the  established  church.  This 
it  is  believed,  was  the  first  step  made  towards  placing  the 
clergy  of  all  denominations,  upon  an  equal  footing  in  Vir- 
ginia.":!: 

The  same  declaration  of  principle,  was  upon  various  occa- 
sions afterwards,  repeated  by  our  fathers,  and  sometimes,  as 
we  have  seen,  in  a  form  still  more  full  and  elaborate,  and 
urged  upon  the  attention  of  the  legislative  authorities. 
"  The  Declaration  of  Rights,"  and  "  the  Constitution " 
proper,  adopted  the  former,  June  the  12th,  and  the  latter, 
June  the  29th,  1776,  embraced  the  Baptist  doctrines  in  their 
whole  extent.     The  article  on  this  subject,  is  as  follows  : — 

*  He  refers  to  the  toryism  aud  persecutions,  whicli  cliaracterized  the  Episcopal 
Church  in  Virginia. 

t  Cannot  this  address  be  obtained  and  published? 

X  History  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia,  pp.  137,  138. 


INVIRGINIA.  69  I 

"  Religion,  or  the  duty  which  we  owe  to  our  Creator,  and  ' 
the  manner  of  discharging  it,  can  be  directed  only  by  reason 
and  conviction,  not  by  force  or  violence ;  and,  therefore,  all 
men  are  equally  entitled  to  the  free  exercise  of  religion,  ac- 
cording to  the  dictates  of  conscience ;  and  it  is  the  mutual 
duty  of  all,  to  practice  Christian  forbearance,  love,  and  cha- 
rity, towards  each  other."*  This  was  the  first  vietory 
achieved  by  "  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia."  It  was  a 
most  glorious  triumph ;  such  a  one  as  almost  certainly  to 
secure  success  in  every  subsequent  conflict.  They  had 
jylaced  a  summary  of  their  principles  at  the  very  foundation  of 
the  Governrnent  of  Virginia. 

The  records  of  the  General  Association  for  1776,  have 
been  imfortunately  lost.  We  are,  however,  not  without 
ample  information  of  its  proceedings,  gathered  from  the 
Journals  of  the  Legislature  for  that  year,  and  from  the  cur- 
rent history  of  the  times.  From  these  we  learn,  that  our 
brethren  followed  up  with  characteristic  energy,  the  measures 
which  previously  they  had  prosecuted  with  so  much  success. 
Their  example  of  the  previous  year,  had  in  one  respect 
especially,  been  contagious.  "  The  Legislature  which  was 
convened  in  October,  was  addressed,"  says  Dr.  Hawks,  by 
"  numerous  petitions  from  all  parts  of  the  State,  entreating 
for  all  religious  sects,  protection  in  the  full  exercise  of  their 
several  modes  of  worship,  and  exemption  from  the  payment 
of  all  taxes  for  the  support  of  any  church  whatever,  further 
than  what  might  be  agreeable  to  their  own  private  choice 
or  voluntary  obligation. "f  Prominent  among  these  peti- 
tioners, was  the  Hanover  Presbytery,  previously  alluded  to. 
This  body  was  led  by  Patrick  Henry,  who  lived  in  Hanover 
county,  and  whose  political  sentiments  exercised  over  its 
ministers  and  members,  an  unlimited  influence.  Of  these 
Presbyterian   petitions.  Dr.   Foote,  the   historian  of  that 

*  Declaration  of  Rights,  Article  16. 

t  History  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia,  p.  130. 


70  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

church  in  Virginia,  says : — "  They  were  for  an  ill-defined 
liberty  of  conscience,  and  the  disseverance  of  religion 
from  the  civil  power.  That  something  ought  to  be  done 
for  dissenters  was  evident,  but  what  should  actually  be 
done,  was  matter  of  contention."*  Our  brethren  of  that 
church,  seem  to  have  been  somewhat  slow  in  acquiring  just 
ideas  of  "  Religious  Freedom."  Nor  is  this  surprising,  when 
we  consider  their  antecedents  at  Geneva,  and  in  Scotland, 
to  which  I  have  already  had  occasion  to  refer.  This  was 
greatly  to  be  regretted.  But  no  such  indefiniteness  as  that 
which  characterized  their  proceedings,  perplexed  the  minds 
of  the  Baptists.  If  Presbyterians  were  unwilling  to  be  taxed 
by  the  State,  "  for  the  support  of  any  church  whatever,  fur- 
ther than  what  might  he  agreeahJe  to  their  own  pi^ivate  choice  ;" 
Baptists  refused  to  be  taxed  by  the  State^  even  for  the  sup- 
port of  their  oion  church.  They  chose  to  support  their  own 
church,  in  their  own  way,  and  denied  that  the  State  had 
any  right  to  interfere,  or  even  to  inquire  into  any  such  matters. 
"Counter  memorials,"  says  Dr.  Hawks,  "  on  the  part  of  the 
Church,  [Episcopal,]  and  the  Methodists,  solicited  the  continu- 
ance of  the  establishment J'''  They  claimed  this  "  upon  prin- 
ciples of  justice,  of  icisdom,  and  of  polic?/"'f  They  prayed 
"  That  the  efforts  made  to  injure  what  was  left  of  the  esta- 
blishment might  be  checked."^  The  Baptists  still  main- 
tained "  That  no  established  religion  ought  to  exist,"  and 
accordingly,  a  bill  was  brought  forward  to  "  E-epeal  the  law 
establishing  the  Episcopal  Church."  In  the  passage  of  this 
bill,  our  fathers  achieved  another  triumph.  The  principal 
parts  of  the  law,  are  as  follows : — "  Be  it  enacted  by  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  and 
it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  that  all 
and  every  act  of  Parliament,  by  whatever  title  known,  or 
distinguished,  which  renders  criminal  the  maintaining  any 

*  Sketches  of  Virginia,  p.  323. 

t  History,  &c.,  p.  142.  $  Id.  147. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  71 

opinions  in  matters  of  religion,  forbearing  to  repair  [go] 
to  church,  or  the  exercising  any  mode  of  worship  wliatso- 
ever,  or  which  prescribes  punishments  for  the  same,  shall 
henceforth  be  of  no  validity,  or  force,  within  this  Common- 
wealth." And  "that  all  dissenters  of  whatever  denomina- 
tion from  the  said  church  [established  by  law]  shall,  from 
and  after  the  passing  of  this  Act,  be  totally  free,  and 
exempt  from  all  levies,  taxes,  and  impositions  whatever, 
towards  supporting  and  maintaining  the  said  Church."* 
This  result,  which  fell  so  far  short  of  what  was  proposed,  was 
not  gained  without  a  most  arduous  and  protracted  struggle. 
In  regard  to  it,  Mr.  Jefferson  himself,  says : — "  The  first 
Kepublican  Legislature,  which  met  in  1176,  was  crowded 
with  petitions  to  abolish  this  spiritual  tyranny  [the  esta- 
blished church.]  These  brought  on  the  severest  contest  in 
which  I  have  ever  been  engaged."  "  The  petitions  were 
referred  to  a  committee  of  the  whole  house,  on  the  state  of 
the  country ;  and  after  desperate  contests  in  that  committee, 
almost  daily,  from  the  11th  of  October  to  the  5th  of  De- 
cember, we  prevailed  so  far  only,  as  to  repeal  the  laws 
which  rendered  criminal  the  maintenance  of  any  religious 
opinions,  [other  than  those  of  Episcopalians,]  the  forbear- 
ance of  repairing  to  church,  or  the  exercise  of  any  [other 
than  Episcopal]  mode  of  worship  ;  and  to  suspend  only  until 
the  next  session,  levies  on  the  members  of  that  Church  for 
the  salaries  of  their  own  incumbents."  "  But  our  opponents 
carried  in  the  general  resolutions  of  November  the  19th,  a 
declaration,  that  religious  assemblies  ought  to  be  regulated, 
and  that  provision  ought  to  be  made  for  continuing  the 
succession  of  the  clergy  and  superintending  their  conduct."t 
On  the  assembling  of  the  General  Association,  in  1777^ 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  examine  the  laws  of  the 
Commonwealth,  and  to  report  to  them  at  as  early  a  period 

*  Hening-'s  Stat,  at  large,  vol.  ix.,  p.  164. 
t  Jefiferson's  Works,  vol.  i.  pp.  3.1,  33. 


72  EARLY    BAPTI  STS 

as  possible,  such  as  were  justly  considered  offensive.  Their 
professed  object  was  the  removal  of  all  such  laws  from  the 
Statute  Book,  and  the  introduction  of  others  which  should 
firmly  establish  and  maintain  "  Religious  Liberty,"  in  all 
its  extent  and  bearings.  That  this  end,  difficult  as  it  ap- 
peared to  many,  might  be  accomplished,  their  former  suc- 
cesses had  now  inspired  them  with  the  most  confident 
hopes.  The  committee  performed  the  duty  assigned  them 
with  great  ability,  and  reported  elaborately.  Numerous 
laws  were  designated,  and  an  address  to  the  legislature  was 
prepared,  manifesting  the  injustice  and  impolicy  of  retain- 
ing them,  all  of  which  was  effectually  brought  to  the  notice 
of  that  body.  This  session  also  was  "flooded  with  peti- 
tions." The  Baptists,  with  the  masses  of  the  people, 
seconded  to  a  great  extent  by  the  Presbyterians,  were  the 
memorialists  on  the  one  side,  and  on  the  other  the  Episco- 
palians, and  Methodists.  Nothing,  however,  of  importance 
occurred  in  relation  to  religion,  unless  the  suspension  of 
the  taxes  for  the  support  of  religious  teachers  for  the  year, 
may  be  so  regarded, 

During  the  meeting  of  the  Association,  in  1778,  a  com- 
mittee of  seven  was  appointed  for  the  consideration  of 
'.'  Civil  Grievances ;"  which,  after  mature  deliberation, 
reported  as  such,  among  others,  the  project  of  a  law  then 
beginning  to  be  advocated,  for  the  support  by  the  State  of 
the  religious  teachers  of  all  tJie  leading  denominations^  thus 
placing  them  all  on  an  equal  footing  in  this  respect ;  and 
also  the  law  which  confined  the  legal  celebration  of  mar- 
riage to  clergymen  of  the  Episcopal  church.  As  commis- 
sioners, to  bear  their  address  to  the  General  Assembly,  and 
to  attend  its  sittings,  they  appointed  Rev.  Messrs.  Jeremiah 
Walker,  Elijah  Craig,  and  John  Williams.  The  exigen- 
cies of  the  country,  however,  were  such,  now  in  the  midst 
of  the  war,  that  nothing  of  consequence  in  the  cause  of 
religious  freedom  was  accomplished. 


I  N    V  I  R  G  I  N  I  A.  73 

When  the  Association  assembled,  in  1779,  Mr.  Walker, 
after  having  reported  the  proceedings  of  their  delegates  at 
the  capitol,  which  were  cordially  approved,  submitted  the 
form  of  a  law,  which  had  been  carefully  prepared,  in  consul- 
tation with  their  commissioners,  during  the  last  session  of  the 
legislature,  and  the  adoption  of  which  it  was  proposed  to 
obtain  at  the  earliest  day  possible,  entitled,  "  An  Act  for 
the  Establishment  of  Religious  Freedom."  This  paper  was 
read,  and  after  full  deliberation  it  was  Resolved^  unanimously, 
That  the  [proposed]  bill,  establishing  Religious  Liberty,  in 
our  opinion  puts  that  subject  upon  its  proper  basis ;  pre- 
scribes the  just  limits  of  the  powers  of  the  state  with  regard 
to  religion,  and  properly  guards  against  partiality  towards 
any  religious  denomination;  that  therefore  we  heartily  ap- 
prove the  same,  and  wish  it  to  pass  into  a  law.  It  was  also 
"  Ordered.,  That  this,  our  approbation  of  said  bill,  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  public  printers,  to  be  inserted  in  the  Gazette." 
The  usual  memorial,  and  delegates,  were  sent  to  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  where  still  anotlier  triumph  awaited  their 
faithful  services.  It  was  the  adoption  of  a  law  entitled, 
"  An  Act  to  repeal  so  much  of  the  act  for  the  support  of 
the  clergy,  and  for  the  regular  collecting  and  paying  the 
parish  levies,  as  relates  to  the  payment  of  the  salaries  here- 
tofore given  to  the  clergy  of  the  Church  of  England,"  the 
principal  parts  of  which  are  as  follows: — "  Be  it  enacted  by 
the  General  Assembly,  that  so  much  of  the  act  entitled  an 
Act  for  the  support  of  the  clergy,  and  for  the  regular  col- 
lecting, and  paying  of  the  parish  levies;  and  of  all  and 
every  other  act,  providing  salaries  for  the  ministers,  and 
authorising  the  vestries  to  levy  the  same ;  shall  be  and  the 
same  are  hereby  repealed."*  This  was  a  bold  and  decisive 
blow.  Dr.  Hawks,  in  a  strain  of  lamentation  over  the 
catastrophe,  says : — "  In  each  successive  meeting  of  the 
legislature,   from  1776   to    1779,    this   questio  vexata   was 

*  Hening's  Stat,  at  Large,  Vol.  x.,  p.  197. 


74  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

brought  up  for  discussion,  and  the  friends  of  vokmtary  con- 
tribution, apprehensive,  probably,  of  a  final  vote  against 
them,  labored,  and  not  without  success,  to  suspend  the  de- 
cision from  time  to  time,  and  leave  the  matter  to  be  debated 
anew  in  the  succeeding  year.  In  1779,  all  things  being 
now  ready  for  a  final  vote,  the  question  was  settled,"  "  and 
the  establishment  loas  finally  put  clown.  The  Baptists  [he 
adds]  were  the  principal  promoters  of  this  work,  and  in 
truth,  aided  more  than  any  other  denomination  in  its  accom- 
plishment." "  In  the  Associations  of  that  sect,  held  from 
year  to  year,  a  prominent  subject  of  discussion  always  was 
as  to  the  best  mode  of  carrying  on  the  war  against  the 
former  establishment.  After  their  final  success  in  this  matter ^^ 
"  their  next  efi'orts  were  to  procure  the  sale  of  the  church 
property."* 

The  records  that  remain  of  the  General  Association  for 
1780,  are  exceedingly  meagre. t  From  contemporaneous 
history  we  however  ascertain,  that  the  Baptists  were  still 
moving  with  their  accustomed  vigor,  and  influence.  In 
the  legislature  of  this  session,  one  more  important  victory 
was  gained.  Hitherto  no  person  could  celebrate  legally 
the  rites  of  matrimony,  but  a  clergyman  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  according  to  the  forms  prescribed  in  the 
English  Liturgy.  Against  this  law  our  people  had  been 
for  five  years  annually  petitioning.  An  act  was  passed  in 
October  of  this  year,  "  declaring  what  shall  be  a  lawful 
marriage,"  which  provided  "  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for 
any  minister,  of  any  society,  or  congregation  of  Christians," 
"  to  join  together  as  man  and  wife,  those  who  may  apply  to 
them,  agreeable  to  the  rules  and  usages  of  the  respective 
societies  to  which  the  parties  to  be  married  respectively 
belong.":}:     This  law  was,  however,  clogged  with  various 

*  Hist.  Prot.  Epis.  Ch.  in  Va.,  pp.  152,  153. 

t  1  am  astonished  that  so  many  of  the  papers  of  this  body,  and  also  of  the 
General  Committee,  have  been  lost. 

X  Hening's  Stat.,  at  Large,  Yol.  X.,  pp.  361. 


IN    VIRGINIA. 


75 


^i provisoes ^^^  and  it  was  not  nntil  1784,  that  these  were  re- 
moved, and  the  ministers  of  all  denominations  placed,  as  to 
their  authority  in  the  premises,  npon  a  perfectly  equal  footing. 

The  session  of  the  General  Association  of  1781,  was 
prevented,  by  the  passage  through  the  country  at  the  time 
when  it  should  have  been  held,  of  the  British  troops  under 
Lord  Cornwallis.  The  messengers  from  sixteen  churches 
assembled,  and  after  appointing  the  time  and  place  of  the 
next  annual  meeting  adjourned.  At  the  session  of  1782, 
and  also  of  1783,  the  remaining  laws  of  the  State,  regarded 
by  them  as  unequal,  and  oppressive,  especially  the  glebe- 
laws,  and  the  scheme  now  somewhat  popular,  to  assess  taxes 
upon  the  people,  to  support  the  ministers  of  the  several 
denominations,  were  the  theme  of  their  remonstrances,  and 
their  earnest  petitions  were  sent  up  for  the  passage  of  the 
bill  "  Declaring  Religous  Freedom."  To  bear  these  memo- 
rials to  the  Legislature,  and  superintend  them  before  that 
body,  Jeremiah  Walker  was  appointed  by  the  former  ses- 
sion, and  by  the  latter,  were  designated  Reuben  Ford  and 
John  Waller.  The  extraordinary  state  of  the  country, 
however,  prevented,  on  the  part  of  the  General  Assembly, 
any  very  important  action  in  relation  to  these  subjects. 

The  General  Association  had  now  become  an  immense 
body.  Its  members  were  scattered  over  a  large  extent  of 
territory.  The  distance  they  had  to  travel  rendered  their 
annual  gatherings  at  one  place  extremely  laborious  and 
expensive.  "They  would,  probably,"  says  Dr.  Semple, 
"  long  before  this  date,  have  been  divided  into  districts,  had 
they  not  been  holden  together  by  apprehensions  of  oppres- 
sion from  the  civil  government.  They  could  not  make 
head  against  their  powerful  and  numerous  opponents,  with 
any  hope  of  success,  unless  they  were  united  among  them- 
selves. In  order  to  be  all  of  one  mind,  it  was  necessary 
they  should  all  assemble  around  one  council  board.  For 
these  reasons  the  General  Association  was  kept  up  as  long  as 


76  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

it  was.  Finding  it,  however,  wearisome  to  collect  so  many 
from  such  distant  parts,  and  having  already  secured  their 
most  important  civil  rights,  they  determined  to  hold  one 
more  General  Association,  and  then  dividing  into  districts, 
to  form  some  plan  to  keep  a  Standing  Sentinel  for  political 
purposes."*  That  meeting  was  held  in  October,  1783, 
when  memorials  on  the  same  subjects  as  the  last  two  years, 
were  sent  to  the  Legislature,  and  the  following  resolution 
adopted : — 

^'- Resolved^  That  our  General,  or  Annual  Association 
cease,  and  that  a  General  Committee  be  instituted,  com- 
posed of  not  more  than  four  delegates  from  each  District 
Association,  to  meet  annually,  to  consider  matters  that 
may  be  for  the  good  of  the  whole  Society,  and  that  the 
present  Association  be  divided  into  four  Districts,  Upper, 
and  Lower  Districts,  on  each  side  of  James  River."'}' 

Thus  was  formed  "  the  General  Committee,"  composed 
of  members  annually  elected  by  the  several  District  Asso- 
ciations, and  having  charge  of  all  those  interests  previously 
under  the  direction  of  the  General  Association.  Its  first 
meeting  was  held,  commencing  October  9th,  1784.  Memo- 
rials were  prepared  protesting  against  the  "  Vestry  Law," 
and  against  the  proposed  laws  "  for  a  General  Assessment," 
and  for  the  "  Incorporation  of  Religious  Societies  [that  is, 
churches,  or  denominations,]  which  were  now  in  agitation," 
and  placed  in  the  hands  of  Rev.  Reuben  Ford,  who  was 
appointed  to  lay  them  before  the  Legislature,  and  generally 
to  represent  the  interests  of  the  Baptists  in  that  body. 

At  the  annual  session  of  the  General  Committee,  which 
commenced  August  13th,  1785,  "Mr.  Ford  reported,  that 
according  to  the  directions  given  him,  he  presented  their 
memorial  and  petition  to  the  Honorable  the  General 
Assembly;  that  certain  amendments  were  made  to  the 
'  marriage  law  [before  referred  to]  which  rendered  it  satis- 

*  Hist.  Ya.  Baptists,  p.  67.  t  Hist.  Va.  Baptist,  p.  08. 


INVIRGINIA.  77 

factory;'  and  that  the  anticipated  bill  for  a  'General 
Assessment,'  had  been  introduced,  and  would  have  passed 
into  a  law,  but  that  'when  at  that  sta^j^e  in  which  it  was 
called  an  engrossed  bill,'  our  friends  had  succeeded  in  a 
motion,  that  the  people  might  be  more  fully  consulted,  to 
refer  it  to  the  next  Assembly," 

Great  excitement  now  prevailed  among  "  the  Early 
Baptists  of  Virginia."  Four  measures  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance were  pending;  the  Assessment  hill;  the  bill  for  the 
Incorporation  of  Churches^  (denominations ;)  the  law  for  the 
Declaration  of  Religious  Freedom;  and  for  the  repeal  of  the 
Vestry  and  Glehe  latvs.  In  view  of  the  whole  subject  the 
General  Committee  now  made  a  Declaration  of  Principles, 
as  the  General  Association  had  before  done,  with  reference 
to  civil  government,  the  heads  of  which  are  as  follows : — 
"  It  is  believed  to  be  repugnant  to  the  spirit  of  the  gospel, 
for  the  Legislature  to  proceed  thus,  in  matters  of  religion; 
that  no  human  laws  ought  to  be  established  for  this  pur- 
pose, [its  support  and  regulation,]  but  that  every  person 
ought  to  be  left  entirely  free  in  respect  to  matters  of  reli- 
gion; that  the  holy  Author  of  our  religion  needs  no  such 
compulsory  measures  for  the  promotion  of  his  cause;  that 
the  gospel  wants  not  the  feeble  arm  of  man  for  its  support ; 
that  it  has  made,  and  will  again  through  Divine  power, 
make  its  way  against  all  opposition;  and  that  should  the 
Legislature  assume  the  right  of  taxing  the  people  for  the 
support  of  the  gospel,  it  will  be  destructive  to  religious 
liberty."*  Their  memorial  was  prepared,  signed,  not  only 
officially,  but  by  thousands  of  the  people,  and  placed  in  the 
hands  of  Rev.  Reuben  Ford,  who  was  appointed  to  repre- 
sent them  at  the  Capitol. 

A  great  and  decisive  battle  was  now  to  be  fought,  and  it 
is  proper  for  us  to  pause,  survey  the  field,  and  ascertain  the 
positions,  and  objects  of  the  various  parties.     The  Episco- 

*  Semple's  Hist.  Ya.  Baptist,  p.  71, 


78  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

palians,  and  Methodists,  always  allies,  and  always  the 
enemies  of  Religious  Freedom,  sent  up  their  petitions  to 
the  Legislature,  in  favor  of  assessments  upon  the  people, 
for  the  support  of  ministers ;  in  favor  of  incorporating  the 
several  religious  denominations,  or  churches ;  in  favor  of 
retaining  in  full  force,  the  old  vestry,  and  glebe  laws ;  and 
against  the  law  "  Declaring  Religious  Freedom."  Presby- 
terians petitioned  against  such  incorporations  as  included 
only  ministers,  (the  form  of  the  proposed  bill,)  but  favored 
those  Avhich  included  also  tlie  ]people  of  their  churches,  and 
were  advocates  of  such  an  assessment,  as  they  themselves 
proposed.  They  speak  as  follows  : — "  We  have  understood 
that  a  comprehensive  incorporating  act  has  been,  and  is  at 
present  in  agitation,  whereby  ministers  of  the  Gospel  as 
such,  of  certain  descriptions,  shall  have  legal  advantages, 
which  are  not  proposed  to  be  extended  to  the  people  at 
large,  of  any  denomination.  A  proposition  has  been  made 
by  some  gentlemen  in  the  House  of  Delegates,  we  are  told, 
to  extend  the  grace  to  us,  among  others,  in  our  professional 
capacity.  If  this  be  so,  we  are  bound  to  acknowledge,  with 
gratitude,  our  obligations  to  such  gentlemen,  for  their  in- 
clination to  favor  us  with  the  sanction  of  public  authority 
in  the  discharge  of  our  duty.  But  as  the  scheme  of  incorpo- 
rating clergymen,  independent  of  the  religious  communities  to 
which  they  belong,  is  inconsistent  with  our  ideas  of  propriety, 
we  request  the  liberty  of  declining  any  such  solitary  honor, 
should  it  be  again  x^roposed.  To  form  clergymen  into  a 
distinct  order  in  the  community,  and  especially  where  it 
would  be  possible  for  them  to  have  the  principal  direction 
of  a  considerable  public  estate  by  such  incorporation,  has  a 
tendency  to  render  them  independent  at  length,  of  the 
churches  whose  ministers  they  are ;  and  this  has  been  too 
often  found  by  experience,  to  produce  ignorance,  immo- 
rality, and  neglect  of  the  duties  of  their  station."  After 
stating  various  general  considerations,  they  add : — "  It  is 


IN    VIRGINIA.  79 

upon  this  principle  alone,  [its  moralizing  power,]  in  our 
opinion,  that  a  legislative  body  has  a  riglit  to  interfere  in 
religion  at  all,  and  of  consequence  we  suppose  tliat  this  in- 
terference ought  only  to  extend  to  the  preserving  of  the 
public  worship  of  the  Deity,  and  the  supporting  of  institu- 
tions for  inculcating  the  great  fundamental  principles  of 
religion,  without  which  society  could  not  easily  exist. 
Should  it  be  thought  necessary  at  present,  for  the  Assembly 
to  exert  this  right  of  supporting  religion  in  general,  by  an 
assessment  on  all  the  people,  we  would  wish  it  to  be  done 
on  the  most  liberal  planJ'  "We  therefore  earnestly  pray 
that  nothing  may  be  done  in  the  case,  inconsistent  with  the 
proper  objects  of  human  legislation,  or  the  Declaration  of 
Rights,  as  published  at  the  Revolution.  We  hope  that  the 
assessment  will  not  be  proposed  under  the  idea  of  supporting 
religion  as  a  spiritual  system,  relating  to  the  care  of  the 
soul,  and  preparing  it  for  its  future  destiny.  We  hope  that 
no  attempt  will  be  made  [by  the  Legislature]  to  point  out 
articles  of  faith,  that  are  not  essential  to  the  preservation 
of  society ;  or  to  settle  modes  of  worship ;  or  to  interfere 
in  the  internal  government  of  religious  communities ;  or  to 
render  the  ministers  of  religion,  independent  of  the  loill  of  the 
people  luhom  they  served  They  presented  their  own  plan  of 
assessment,  as  follows : — 1st.  Religion  as  a  spiritual  system, 
is  not  to  be  considered  as  an  object  of  human  legislation, 
but  may  in  a  civil  view,  as  preserving  the  existence,  and 
promoting  the  happiness  of  society.  2nd.  That  public 
worship,  and  public  periodical  instruction  to  the  people,  be 
maintained  in  this  view,  by  a  general  assessment  for  this 
purpose.  3rd.  That  every  man,  as  a  good  citizen,  be  obliged 
to  declare  himself  attached  to  some  religious  community, 
publicly  known  to  profess  the  belief  of  one  God,  his 
righteous  Providence,  our  accountableness  to  him,  and  a 
future  state  of  rewards  and  punishments.  4th.  That  every 
citizen  should  have  liberty  annually  to  direct  his  assessed 


80  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

proportion  to  such  community  as  he  chooses.  5th.  That 
twelve  titheables,  or  more,  to  the  amount  of  a  hundred  and 
fifty  famihes,  as  near  as  local  circumstances  will  admit,  shall 
be  incorporated,  and  exclusively  direct  the  application  of  the 
money  contributed  for  their  support."*  On  the  other  sub- 
jects before  the  Legislature,  our  Presbyterian  brethren  said 
nothing.  On  the  subject  of  incorporations,  and  of  assess- 
ments, as  well  as  several  others,  the  Baptists^  therefore,  stood 
alone.  The  principal  part  of  their  Memorial  was  as 
follows : — 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  citizens  of  the  said  Commonwealth, 
having  taken  into  serious  consideration,  a  bill,  printed  by 
order  of  the  last  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  entitled, 
'  A  Bill  Establishing  a  Provision,  for  Teachers  of  the 
Christian  Religion,'  and  conceiving  that  the  same  if  finally 
armed  with  the  sanctions  of  a  law,  will  be  a  dangerous 
abuse  of  power,  are  bound  as  faithful  members  of  a  free 
state,  to  remonstrate  against  it,  and  to  declare  the  reasons 
by  which  we  are  determined."  We  remonstrate  against 
the  said  bill : — t 

"  Because  freedom  of  religion  is  the  inalienable  right  of 
every  man ;  because  religion  cannot  legally  be  the  subject  of 
legislation ;  and  because  it  is  proper  to  take  alarm  at  the  first 
experiment  on  our  liberties.  We  hold  this  prudent  jealousy  to 
be  one  of  the  noblest  characteristics  of  the  late  revolution. 
The  freemen  of  America  did  not  wait  until  usurped  power 
had  strengthened  itself  by  exercise,  and  entangled  the  ques- 
tion in  precedents.  They  saw  all  the  consequences  in  the 
principle,  and  they  avoided  the  consequences  by  denying  the 
principle.  We  revere  this  lesson  too  much  soon  to  forget 
it.  Who  does  not  see  that  the  same  authority  which  can 
establish  Christianity  in  exclusion  of  all  other  religions, 
may  establish  with  the  same  ease,  any  particular  sect  of 

*  Memorial  of  Hanover  Presbytery,  1784,  in  Foote's  Sketches,  pp.  336-338. 
t  A  part  of  this  Memorial  has  already  been  quoted  for  another  purpose. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  81 

Christians,  in  exclusion  of  all  other  sects  1  That  the  same 
authority  which  can  force  a  citizen  to  contribute  three 
pence  only  of  his  property,  for  the  support  of  any  one  esta- 
blishment, may  force  him  to  conform  to  any  other  establish- 
ment, in  all  cases  whatsoever  ? 

"  Because,  the  bill  violates  that  equality  which  ought  to 
be  the  basis  of  every  law,  and  which  is  the  more  indispen- 
sable in  proportion  as  the  validity,  or  expediency  of  any 
law,  is  more  liable  to  be  impeached.  'As  the  bill  violates 
equality  by  subjecting  some  to  peculiar  burdens,  so  it  vio- 
lates the  same  principle  by  granting  to  others  peculiar 
exemptions. 

"  Because  the  establishment  proposed  by  the  bill,  is  not 
requisite  for  the  support  of  the  Christian  religion.  To  say 
that  it  is,  is  a  contradiction  to  the  Christian  religion  itself; 
for  every  page  of  it,  disavows  a  dependence  on  the  power 
of  this  world.  It  is  a  contradiction  to  fact ;  for  it  is  kno"\\Ti 
that  this  religion  both  existed,  and  flourished,  not  only 
without  the  support  of  human  laws,  but  in  spite  of  every 
opposition  from  them ;  and  not  only  during  the  period  of 
miraculous  aid,  but  long  after  it  had  been  left  to  its  own 
evidence,  and  the  ordinary  care  of  providence.  Nay  it  is 
a  contradiction  in  terms ;  for  a  religion  not  invented  by 
human  policy,  must  have  pre-existed,  and  been  supported, 
before  it  was  established  by  human  policy.  It  is,  moreover, 
to  weaken  in  those  who  profess  this  religion,  a  pious  confi- 
dence in  its  innate  excellence,  and  the  patronage  of  its 
author;  and  to  foster  in  those  who  reject  it,  a  suspicion 
that  its  friends  are  too  conscious  of  its  fallacies  to  trust  it 
to  its  own  merits. 

"  Because,  experience  witnesses  that  ecclesiastical  esta- 
blishments, instead  of  maintaining  the  purity,  and  efficacy 
of  religion,  have  had  a  contrary  operation.  During  almost 
fifteen  centuries  has  the  legal  establishment  of  Christianity 
been  on  trial.     What  have  been  its  fruits'?    More  or  less,  in 


82  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

all  places,  pride  and  indolence  in  the  clergy ;  ignorance 
and  servility  in  the  laity ;  in  both,  superstition,  bigotry  and 
persecution.  Enquire  of  the  teachers  of  Christianity,  for 
the  ages  in  which  it  appeared  in  its  greatest  lustre.  Those 
of  every  sect,  point  to  the  ages  prior  to  its  incorporation 
with  civil  policy.  Propose  a  restoration  to  this  primitive 
state,  in  which  its  teachers  depended  on  the  voluntary 
rewards  of  their  flocks ;  many  of  them  predict  its  down- 
fall !  On  which  side  ought  their  testimony  to  have  greatest 
weight  1     When  for,  or  when  against  their  interest  1 

"  Because,  the  establishment  in  question,  is  not  neces- 
sary for  the  support  of  civil  government.  If  it  be 
urged  as  necessary  for  the  support  of  civil  government, 
it  is  only  as  a  means  of  supporting  religion,  and  if  it 
be  not  necessary  for  the  latter  purpose,  it  cannot  be  neces- 
sary for  the  former.  If  religion  be  not  within  the  cogni- 
zance of  civil  government,  how  can  its  legal  establish- 
ment be  said  to  be  necessary  to  civil  government  T  What 
influence,  in  fact,  have  ecclesiastical  establishments  had, 
on  civil  society'?  In  some  instances  they  have  been 
seen  to  erect  a  spiritual  tyranny,  on  the  ruins  of  the 
civil  authority ;  in  more  instances  have  they  been  seen 
upholding  the  thrones  of  political  tyranny ;  in  no  instance 
have  they  been  seen  the  guardians  of  the  liberties  of  the 
people.  Rulers  who  wished  to  subvert  the  public  liberty, 
may  have  found  an  established  clergy,  convenient  auxilia- 
ries. A  just  government,  instituted  to  secure,  and  per- 
petuate it,  needs  them  not.  Such  a  government  will  be  best 
supported  by  protecting  every  citizen  in  the  enjoyment  of 
his  religion,  with  the  same  equal  hand  which  protects  his 
person,  and  his  property ;  by  neither  invading  the  equal 
rights  of  any  sect,  nor  suffering  any  sect  to  invade  those  of 
another. 

"  Because,  the  proposed  establishment  is  a  departure 
from  that  generous  policy,  which  offering  an  asylum  to 


IN    VIRGINIA.  83 

the  persecuted,  and  oppressed  of  every  nation,  and  religion, 
promised  a  lustre  to  our  country,  and  an  accession  to  the 
number  of  its  citizens.  What  a  melancholy  mark  is  the 
bill,  of  sudden  degeneracy!  Instead  of  holding  forth  an 
asylum  to  the  persecuted,  it  is  itself  a  signal  of  persecution. 
It  degrades  from  the  equal  rank  of  citizens,  all  those  whose 
opinions  in  religion,  do  not  bend  to  those  of  the  legislative 
authority.  Distant  as  it  may  be,  in  its  present  form,  from 
the  inquisition,  it  differs  from  it  only  in  degree.  The  one 
is  the  first  step,  the  other  is  the  last  in  the  career  of  intole- 
rance. The  magnanimous  sufferer  under  the  cruel  scourge, 
in  foreign  regions,  must  view  the  bill  as  a  beacon  on  our 
coast,  warning  him  to  seek  some  other  haven,  where  liberty, 
and  philanthropy,  in  their  due  extent,  may  offer  a  more 
certain  repose  from  his  troubles. 

"  Because,  it  will  have  a  like  tendency  to  banish  our 
citizens.  The  allurements  presented  by  other  situations 
are  every  day  thinning  our  number.  To  superadd  a  fresh 
motive  to  emigration,  by  revoking  the  liberty  which  they 
now  enjoy,  would  be  the  same  species  of  folly  which  has 
dishonored  and  depopulated  flourishing  kingdoms. 

"  Because,  it  will  destroy  that  moderation  and  harmony, 
which  the  forbearance  of  our  laws  to  intermeddle  with 
religion,  has  produced  among  its  several  sects.  Torrents 
of  blood  have  been  spilt,  in  the  old  world,  by  vain  attempts 
of  the  secular  arm  to  extinguish  religious  discord,  by  pro- 
scribing all  differences  of  religious  opinions.  Time  has  at 
length  revealed  the  true  remedy.  Every  relaxation  of  nar- 
row, and  rigorous  policy,  wherever  it  has  been  tried,  has 
been  found  to  assuage  the  disease.  The  American  theatre 
has  exhibited  proofs  that  equal,  and  complete  liberty,  if  it 
does  not  wholly  eradicate  it,  sufficiently  destroys  its  malig- 
nant influence  on  the  health  and  prosperity  of  the  State. 
If,  with  the  salutary  effects  of  this  system  under  oiu*  own 
eyes,  we  begin  to  contract  the  bounds  of  religious  freedom, 


84  E  A  ELY    BAPTISTS 

we  know  no  name  that  will  too  severely  reproach  onr  folly. 
At  least,  let  warning  be  taken  at  the  first  fruits  of  the 
threatened  innovation.  The  very  appearance  of  the  bill 
has  transformed  that  "  Christian  forbearance,  love,  and 
charity,"*  which  of  late  mutually  prevailed,  into  animosi- 
ties and  jealousies,  which  may  not  soon  be  appeased. 
What  mischiefs  may  not  be  dreaded,  should  this  enemy 
to  the  public  quiet  be  armed  with  the  force  of  a  law  ] 

"  Because  the  policy  of  the  bill  is  adverse  to  the  diffu- 
sion of  the  light  of  Christianity.  The  first  wish  of  those 
who  enjoy  this  precious  gift,  ought  to  be,  that  it  may  be 
imparted  to  the  whole  race  of  mankind,  Compare  the 
number  of  those  who  have  as  yet  received  it,  with  the 
number  still  remaining  under  the  dominion  of  false  reli- 
gions, and  how  small  is  the  former !  Does  the  policy  of 
the  bill  tend  to  lessen  the  disproportion "?  No ;  it  at  once 
discourages  those  who  are  strangers  to  the  light  of  truth 
from  coming  into  the  regions  of  it,  and  countenances,  by 
example,  the  nations  who  continue  in  darkness  in  shutting 
out  those  who  might  convey  it  to  them.  Instead  of  level- 
ling as  far  as  possible,  every  obstacle  to  the  victorious 
progress  of  truth,  the  bill,  with  an  ignoble  and  unchristian 
timidity,  would  circumscribe  it  with  a  wall  of  defence,  and 
give  all  latitude  to  the  encroachments  of  error. 

"  Because,  attempts  to  enforce,  by  legal  sanctions,  acts 
obnoxiously  to  so  great  a  proportion  of  citizens,  tend  to 
enervate  the  laws  in  general,  and  to  slacken  the  bands  of 
society.  If  it  be  difficult  to  execute  any  law  which  is  not 
generally  deemed  necessary,  or  salutary,  what  must  be  the 
case  where  it  is  deemed  invalid,  and  dangerous'?  And 
what  may  be  the  effect  of  so  striking  an  example  of  impo- 
tency  in  the  government,  on  its  general  authority  1 

"  Because,  a  measure  of  such  singular  magnitude  and  deli- 

*  Declaration  of  Bights,  Art.  16, 


IN    VIRGINIA.  85 

cacy  onglit  not  to  be  imposed  without  the  clearest  evidence 
that  it  is  called  for  by  a  majority  of  citizens,  and  no  satis- 
factory method  is  yet  proposed  by  wliich  the  voice  of  the 
majority  in  this  case  may  be  determined,  or  its  influence 
secured.  '  The  people  of  the  respective  counties  are 
[indeed]  requested  to  signify  their  opinion,  respecting  the 
adoption  of  the  bill,  to  the  next  Legislature.'*  But  the 
representation  must  be  made  equal,  before  the  voice,  either 
of  the  representatives  or  of  the  counties,  will  be  that  of  the 
people.  Our  hope  is,  that  none  of  the  former  will,  after 
due  consideration,  espouse  the  dangerous  principle  of  the 
bill.  Should  the  event  disappoint  us,  it  will  still  leave  us 
in  full  confidence  that  a  fair  appeal  to  the  latter  will  reverse 
the  sentence  against  our  liberties. 

"  Because,  finally,  '  the  equal  right  of  every  citizen  to  the 
free  exercise  of  his  religion,  according  to  the  dictates  of 
conscience,'  is  held  by  the  same  tenure  with  all  our  other 
rights.  If  we  recur  to  its  origin,  it  is  equally  the  gift  of 
nature ;  if  we  ask  for  its  importance,  it  cannot  be  less 
dear  to  us ;  if  we  consult  the  '  declaration  of  those  rights 
which  pertain  to  the  good  people  of  Virginia,  as  the  basis 
and  foundation  of  government,'  it  is  enumerated  with 
equal  solemnity,  or  rather,  with  studied  emphasis.  Either, 
then,  we  must  say,  that  the  will  of  the  Legislature  is  the 
only  measure  of  their  authority,  and  that,  in  the  plenitude 
of  their  authority,  they  may  sweep  away  all  our  fundamen- 
tal rights ;  or,  that  they  are  bound  to  leave  this  particular 
right  untouched  and  sacred.  Either  we  must  say  that  they 
may  control  the  freedom  of  the  press,  may  abolish  the  trial 
by  jury,  may  swallow  up  the  executive  and  judiciary  pow- 
ers of  the  State,  nay,  that  they  may  annihilate  our  very 
right  of  suffrage,  and  erect  themselves  into  an  independent 
and  hereditary  assembly ;  or,  we  must  say  that  they  have 

*  Referred  to  iu  the  proceedings  of  the  late  session  of  the  General  Committee. 


86  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

no  authority  to  enact  into  a  law  the  bill  under  considera- 
tion. 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  say  that  the  General  Assembly  of 
this  Commonwealth  have  no  such  authority,  and,  that  no 
effort  on  our  part  may  be  omitted  against  so  dangerous  a 
usurpation,  we  oppose  to  it  this  remonstrance,  earnestly 
praying,  as  we  are  in  duty  bound,  that  the  Supreme  Law- 
giver of  the  universe,  by  illuminating  those  to  whom  it  is 
addressed,  may,  on  the  one  hand,  turn  their  counsels  from 
every  act  which  would  affront  His  holy  prerogative,  or 
violate  the  trust  committed  to  them;  and,  on  the  other, 
guide  them  into  every  measure  which  may  be  worthy  of 
His  blessing,  may  redound  to  their  own  praise,  and  may 
establish  more  firmly  the  liberties,  the  prosperity,  and  the 
happiness  of  this  Commonwealth."* 

These,  Gentlemen,  are  the  attitudes,  as  shown  by  their 
memorials,  of  the  several  parties,  as  they  stood  before  the 
Legislature  of  1785,  in  which  so  many  measures,  all  involv- 
ing vital  principles,  were  pending,  and  now  to  be  definitely 
settled.  The  conflict  was  long,  and  arduous.  The  first 
result  was  the  defeat  of  the  bill,  which  proposed  the  assess- 
ment, by  the  Legislature,  of  taxes  upon  the  people  for  the 
support,  in  connection  with  the  several  denominations,  of 
the  ministers  of  religion.  In  this  result  the  early  Baptists 
of  Virginia  gained  yet  another  triumphant  victory.  And 
this  achievement  was  the  more  honorable  to  them,  because 
all  the  other  denominations,  with  Patrick  Henry,  were 
against  them.  "  The  Baptists,"  truly  remarks  Dr.  Hawks, 
"  were  the  principal  promoters  of  this  worh,  [the  defeat  of 
the  assessment  bill]  and,  in  truth,  aided  more  than  any  other 
denomination  in  its  accomplishment."  E-eferring  to  the 
course  of  the  Presbyterians^  who  sometimes  petitioned  the 
Legislature  against,  and  sometimes  in  favor  of  assessments, 

*  Semple's  History  of  the  Yirginia  Baptists,  pp.  435-444. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  87 

and  who,  at  one  time,  were  all,  not  even  excepting  the  Han- 
over Presbytery,  the  advocates  of  assessments,  this  historian, 
who  so  much  deprecates  the  '"'•  reUgloHjS  liberty"  of  Virginia, 
remarks :  "  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  distinguished 
individual  [Mr.  Jefferson]  who  was  the  leader  in  securing 
the  adoption  of  the  measures  already  detailed,  entertained 
the  belief  that  it  would  be  no  difficult  task  to  complete  at 
a  future  session  the  work  which  he  had  begun,  and  to 
negative  the  plan  of  a  general  assessment  for  the  support 
of  Christianity ;  nor  would  his  expectation  in  this  particu- 
lar have  been  disappointed,  [he  alludes  to  tlie  previous 
delays  of  the  bill,  and  postponements  of  similar  measures,] 
but  for  a  circumstance  recorded  by  himself,*  as  having 
interposed  obstacles.  In  his  chief  object,  that  of  giving  a 
death-blow  to  the  legalized  superiority  of  the  Establishment 
over  all  other  denominations  of  Christians,  he  was  very 
cordially  supported  by  a  large  body  of  allies,  who  belonged 
to  the  dissenting  interest ;  but  when  that  great  end  was 
once  obtained,  and  every  religious  society  stood  upon  the 
same  level,  the  question  in  dispute  assumed  to  these  allies 
[the  Presbyterians]  a  very  different  aspect,  and  they  deserted 
the  standard  under  which  they  had  before  achieved  their 
victory.  They  had  prostrated  the  Church ;  they  had  proved 
themselves  not  at  all  reluctant  to  strip  her  clergy  of  that 
important  maintenance  which  was  secured  to  them  by  the 
possession  of  property ;  but  they  now  manifested  an  aver- 
sion, more  natural  than  consistent,  to  being  left  to  find  a 
precarious  support  for  themselves,  in  the  tender  mercies  of 
a  set  of  voluntary  contributors ;  and  the  manner,  almost 
approaching  to  querulousness,  in  which  this  desertion  is 
recorded,  [by  Mr.  Jefferson,]  accompanied,  as  it  is,  by  an 
insinuation  as  to  the  motives  of  the  deserters,  justifies  the 
suspicion  that  the  desertion  was  felt  to  be  ungenerous. 

*  Jefferson's  Works. 


88  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

The  impartial  reader  of  a  future  day  will  probably  concede 
that  it  was  a  game  not  unskilfully  played,  in  which  the 
troops  outwitted  the  general."  He  adds :  "  The  Baptist 
historian  boasts  that  they  [the  Baptists]  alone  were  uni- 
form in  their  efforts  to  destroy  the  system  of  an  assessment, 
and  introduce  the  plan  of  voluntary  contributions ;  that  in 
the  other  denominations  there  was  much  division  of  senti- 
ment between  the  ministers  and  people;  and  that  remon- 
strances came  at  last  from  none  but  the  Baptists."* 

Nor  was  this  the  only  victory  achieved  by  "  The  Early 
Baptists  of  Virginia,"  during  the  sitting  of  the  Legislature  of 
1785.  They  gained  another^  still  more  important  if  possible, 
in  the  passage  of  the  law  "  Estahlishing  Religious  Freedom^ 
The  origin  of  this  law,  we  have  seen,  is  the  Declaration  of 
Principles,  by  the  General  Association,  in  1775  ;  the  subse- 
quent close  intimacy,  and  relations,  between  our  Commis- 
sioners, and  Mr.  Jefferson,  and  Mr.  Madison,  which  made 
the  former  its  draftsman,  and  the  latter  its  successful  advo- 
cate; its  approval  by  the  Association  of  1779,  to  which  it 
was  submitted  by  its  framers ;  and  the  zeal,  and  perseve- 
rance, with  which  it  was  urged  upon  the  Legislature,  from 
year  to  year,  by  our  people.  Of  his  connection  with  this 
act,  Mr.  Jefferson  himself,  gives  the  following  account: — 
"  Early  in  the  session  of  1776,  to  which  I  returned,  [from 
Congress,]  I  moved,  and  presented  a  bill,  for  '  the  Revision 
of  the  Laws,'  which  was  passed  on  the  24th  of  October, 
and  on  the  6th  of  November,  Mr.  Pendleton,  Mr.  Wythe, 
George  Mason,  Thomas  L.  Lee,  and  myself,  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  execute  the  work.  We  agreed  to  meet  in 
Fredericksburg,  to  settle  the  plan  of  operations,  and  to  dis- 
tribute the  work.  We  met  there  accordingly,  on  the  18th 
of  January,  1777.  The  first  question  was,  whether  we 
should  propose  to  abolish  the  whole  existing  system  of  laws, 

*Hist.  Prot.  Ep.  Ch.  in  Ya.,  pp.  151. 152.  153. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  89 

and  prepare  a  new,  and  complete  Institute,  or  preserve  the 
general  system,  and  only  modify  it  to  suit  the  present  state 
of  things."  The  latter  course  was  adopted.  Mr.  Mason 
resigned,  Mr.  Lee  died.  "  We  were  employed  in  the  work 
from  that  time  to  February,  1779,  when  we  met  in  Wil- 
liamsburg ;  that  is  to  say,  Mr.  Pendleton,  Mr.  Wythe,  and 
myself;  and  meeting  day  by  day,  we  examined  critically, 
our  several  parts,  sentence  by  sentence,  scrutinising,  and 
amending,  until  we  had  agreed  on  the  whole.  We  then 
returned  home,  had  fair  copies  made  of  our  several  parts, 
which  were  reported  to  the  General  Assembly,  January 
18th,  1779,  by  Mr.  Wythe  and  myself,  Mr.  Pendleton's 
residence  being  distant,  and  he  having  authorised  us  by 
letter,  to  declare  his  approbation.  We  had  into  this  work, 
brought  so  much  of  the  Common  Law  as  it  was  thought 
necessary  to  alter ;  all  the  British  Statutes,  fi.'om  Magna 
Charta  to  the  present  day ;  and  all  the  laws  of  Virginia, 
from  the  establishment  of  our  Legislature,  in  the  4th  of 
James  the  1st.,  to  the  present  time,  which  we  thought 
should  be  retained,  within  the  compass  of  a  hundred  and 
twenty-six  bills,  making  a  printed  folio  of  ninety  pages 
only.  Some  bills  were  taken  out  occasionally,  from  time  to 
time,  and  passed.  But  the  main  body  of  the  work  was  not 
entered  upon  by  the  Legislature,  until  after  the  general 
peace,  in  1785,  when  by  the  unwearied  exertions  of  Mr, 
Madison,  in  opposition  to  the  endless  quibbles,  chicaneries, 
perversions,  vexations,  and  delays  of  lawyers,  and  demi- 
lawyers,  most  of  the  bills  were  passed  by  the  Legislature, 
with  little  alteration.  '  The  bill  for  Establishing  Religious 
Freedom,'  the  principles  of  which  had,  to  a  certain  degree, 
been  enacted  before,  I  had  drawn  in  all  the  latitude  of  rea- 
son, and  right.  It  still  met  with  opposition,  but  with  some 
mutilations  of  the  preamble,  it  was  finally  passed."  "  The 
passage  of  the  bill  took  place  in  December,  1785,  more 


90  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

than  six  years  after  it  had  been  first  reported  to  the  House."* 
The  main  features  of  the  law  are  as  follows : — 

"  Whereas  Almighty  God  hath  created  the  mind  free  ; 
that  all  attempts  to  influence  it  by  temporal  punishments, 
or  burdens,  or  civil  incapacitations,  tend  only  to  beget 
habits  of  hypocrisy,  and  meanness,  and  are  a  departure  from 
the  plan  of  the  holy  Author  of  our  religion,  who  being 
Lord  both  of  body  and  mind,  yet  chose  not  to  propagate  it 
by  coercions  on  either,  as  was  in  his  Almighty  power  to  do ; 
and  the  impious  presumption  of  legislators,  and  rulers,  civil 
as  well  as  ecclesiastical,  who  being  themselves  but  fallible, 
and  uninspired  men,  have  assumed  dominion  over  the  faith 
of  others,  setting  up  their  own  opinions  and  modes  of 
thinking,  as  the  only  true,  and  infallible,  and  as  such  en- 
deavoring to  impose  them  on  others,  have  established,  and 
maintained  false  religions  over  the  greater  part  of  the  world, 
and  through  all  time ;  that  to  compel  a  man  to  furnish  con- 
tributions of  money,  for  the  propagation  of  opinions  which 
he  disbelieves,  is  sinful,  and  tyrannical,  or  even  to  force  him 
to  support  this  or  that  teacher  of  his  own  religious  persua- 
sion, is  depriving  him  of  the  comfortable  liberty  of  giving 
his  contributions  to  the  particular  pastor  whose  morals  he 
would  make  his  pattern,  and  whose  powers  he  feels  most 
persuasive  to  righteousness,  and  is  withdrawing  from  the 
ministry  those  temporary  rewards  which  proceeding  from 
an  approbation  of  their  personal  conduct,  are  an  additional 
incitement  to  earnest  and  unremitting  labors  for  the  in- 
struction of  mankind ;  that  our  civil  rights  have  no  de- 
pendence upon  our  religious  opinions,  any  more  than  our 
opinions  on  physics  or  geometry ;  that,  therefore,  the  pro- 
scribing any  citizen  as  unworthy  the  public  confidence,  by 
laying  upon  him  an  incapacity  of  being  called  to  ofiices  of 
trust,  and  emolument,  unless  he  profess,  or  renounce,  this, 

*  JefiFerson's  Works,  Vol.  1,  pp.  34—36. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  91 

or  tliat  religious  opinion,  is  depriving  him  injuriously,  of 
those  privileges,  and  advantages,  to  Avhich  in  common  with 
his  fellow-citizens,  he  has  a  natural  right ;  that  it  tends 
only  to  corrupt  the  principles  of  that  religion  it  was  meant 
to  encourage,  by  bribing  with  monopoly  of  wordly  honors, 
and  emoluments,  those  who  will  externally  profess  and  con- 
form to  it ;  that  though  indeed,  those  are  criminal  who  do 
not  withstand  such  temptations,  yet  neither  are  those  inno- 
cent who  lay  the  bait  in  their  way ;  that  to  suffer  the  civil 
magistrate  to  intrude  his  powers  into  the  field  of  opinion, 
and  to  restrain  the  propagation,  or  profession  of  principles, 
on  supposition  of  their  ill-tendency,  is  a  dangerous  fallacy, 
which  at  once  destroys  all  religious  liberty,  because  he  being 
of  course,  judge  of  that  tendency,  will  make  his  opinions 
the  rule  of  his  judgment,  and  approve,  or  condemn  the  sen- 
timents of  others  only,  as  they  shall  square  with,  or  differ 
from  his  own  ;  that  it  is  time  enough  for  the  rightful  pur- 
poses of  civil  government,  for  its  officers  to  interfere,  when 
principles  break  out  into  overt  acts  against  peace,  and  good 
order  ;  and  finally  that  '  truth  is  great,  and  will  prevail,'  if 
left  to  herself,  that  she  is  the  proper  antagonist  of  en'or, 
and  has  nothing  to  fear  from  the  conflict,  unless  by  human 
interposition  disarmed  of  her  natural  weapons,  free  argu- 
ment, and  debate,  errors  ceasing  to  be  dangerous  when  she 
is  permitted  freely  to  contradict  them : 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  this  General  Assembly,  that  no  man 
shall  be  compelled  to  frequent,  or  support,  any  religious 
worship,  place,  or  ministry  whatsoever,  nor  shall  he  be  en- 
forced, or  restrained,  molested,  or  burdened,  in  his  body,  or 
goods,  nor  shall  otherwise  suffer,  on  account  of  his  religious 
opinions,  or  belief;  but  that  all  men  shall  be  free  to  profess, 
and  by  argument  to  maintain  their  opinions  in  matters  of 
religion,  and  that  the  same  shall  in  no  wise  diminish,  en- 
large, or  affect  their  civil  capacities."     "  And  that  we  do 


92  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

declare  that  the  rights  hereby  asserted,  are  of  the  natural 
rights  of  mankind."  * 

It  is  only  necessary  to  compare  this  law  with  the  various 
Declarations  of  Principles  on  political  subjects,  and  Memo- 
rials of  "  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia,"  already  before 
you,  to  see  that  they  are  precisely  identical.  That  it  is 
emphatically  a  Baptist  law,  is  conceded  by  our  opponents 
themselves.  Dr.  Hawks,  ignorant  of  the  relations  between 
our  fathers,  and  Messrs.  Jefferson  and  Madison,  and  anxious 
to  stigmatise  the  law  as  an  emanation  of  the  supposed  infi- 
delity of  the  former  gentleman,  remarks : — "  An  act  was 
passed  by  the  Legislature  of  1785,  which  was  viewed  by 
many  [Episcopalians,  and  Methodists]  as  subversive  in  its 
declarations,  of  the  christian  religion,  and  called  forth  at 
the  time,  the  severest  animadversions  of  some  who  still 
reverenced  the  faith  of  the  Apostles.  This  was  the  '  Act 
for  Establishing  Religious  Freedom,'  and  preceded  by  a 
Memorial  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Madison,  which  is  supposed 
to  have  led  to  the  passage  of  the  law."  f  It  is  matter  of 
record  in  their  proceedings,  that  when  in  1785,  they  had 
repeated  their  Declaration  of  Principles,  the  General  Com- 
mittee placed  them  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Madison,  with  the 
request  that  he  would  embody  them  in  their  behalf,  in  a 
Memorial  to  the  Legislature,  praying  for  the  passage  of  this 
law.  X  These  proceedings  were  had  in  August.  The 
Legislature  assembled  in  October,  two  months  afterwards. 
Meanwhile,  the  address  had  been  numerously  signed,  and 
sent  to  the  Capitol.  Mr.  Madison  read  the  paper,  and  with 
all  his  great  powers,  advocated  the  bill.  By  this  means,  as 
our  opponents  themselves  confess,  the  passage  of  the  bill 
was  obtained.  Mr.  Jefferson  also  refers  to  the  same  fact. 
He  says : — "  I  prepared  the  Act  for  Religious  Freedom,  in 
1777,  as  part  of  the  revisal,  which  was  not  [the  revisal]  re- 

*  Code  of  Virginia,  p.  360.        t  Hist.  Prot.  Epis.  Ch.  in  Va.  pp.  173, 174. 
X  Semple's  Hist,  in  loco. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  »5 

ported  to  the  Assembly  until  1779,  and  that  particular  law 
not  passed  till  1785,  and  then  by  the  efforts  of  ^Nlr.  Madi- 
son."* 

In  these,  and  other  facts,  now  before  you,  in  this  con- 
nection, we   have  an  explanation  of  reports  which  have 
heretofore  been  floating  in  Virginia  society,  and  on  the 
surface  of  literature,  in  the  somewhat  intangible  form  of 
general  rumor.     Not  a  few  writers  of  history,  and  other 
works,  have  referred  to  them,  in  about  the  same   terms. 
They  have  told  us,  that  Mr.  Jeff'erson  was  in  the  habit  of 
attending  the  meetings  of  a  Baptist  Church  in  his  neigh- 
borhood, and  closely  scrutinizing  its  polity  ;  and  that  he 
afterwards  said,  that  he  had  gathered  many  of  his  ideas  of 
what  a  Republic  should  be,  from  the  government  of  that 
Church.     Mrs.  Madison,  according  to  Dr.  Curtis,  in  his 
late  admirable  work  on  the  "  Progress  of  Baptist  Principles," 
testified  that  he  so  stated  to  her.     Of  the  correctness  of 
this  declaration  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt.    Mr.  Jeff'erson 
himself,  whatever  he  might  have  said  to  his  friends,  pub- 
lished nothing  that  I  have  seen  on  the  subject.     Another 
fact  also,  in  corroboration  of  this,  is  unquestionably  true,  as 
many  yet  living  aver,  and  not  a  few  have  in  my  own  pres- 
ence   asserted;  it   is   that  Mr.  Jefferson  was  accustomed 
freely  to  confess  to  his  associates,  particularly  the  ministers, 
and  others  of  our  church,  that  the  Baptist    doctrines   on 
that  subject,  had  enlightened,  and  fixed  his  principles  in 
relation  to  Religious  Freedom.     No  one,  I  presume,  can 
contemplate  the  facts  now  before  us,  and  then  seriously 
question  the  truth  of  this  general  statement. 

In  relation  to  another  of  the  measures  before  the  Legis- 
lature of  1785,  our  brethren  signally  failed.  Strangely 
contradictory  as  it  was,  of  all  their  lately  declared  princi- 
ples, and  proceedings,  this   Legislature  passed  a  law   for 

*  Works,  Vol.  i.,  p.  143. 


94  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

"  The  Incorporation  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.' 
Its  leading  provisions  were  as  follows  : — 

"  Whereas,  The  clergy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  by  their  petition  presented,  have  requested  that 
their  church  may  be  incorporated,  Be  it  enacted  by  the 
General  Assembly,  That  every  minister  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  now  holding  a  parish  within  this  Com- 
monwealth, either  by  appointment  from  a  vestry,  or  induc- 
tion from  a  governor,  and  all  the  vestrymen  in  the  different 
parishes  now  instituted,  or  which  may  hereafter  be  institu- 
ted within  this  Commonwealth,  that  is  to  say,  the  minister, 
and  vestrymen  of  each  parish  respectively,  or  in  case  of  a 
vacancy,  the  vestry  of  each  parish,  and  their  successors 
for  ever,  are  hereby  made  a  body  corporate,  and  politic,  etc." 
By  this  law  each  vestry  could  hold  property  not  to  exceed 
an  annual  income  of  eight  hundred  pounds ;  could  sue,  and 
be  sued ;  hold  the  glebe  lands,  etc.*  In  favor  of  this  bill, 
Patrick  Henry  gave  all  his  great  powers,  and  it  became 
a  law. 

The  succeeding  session  of  the  General  Committee  was 
held,  commencing  August  5th,  1786,  at  Anderson's,  in  Buck- 
ingham. Mr.  Ford  reported  that  he  "  waited  on  the  House 
of  Assembly,  according  to  appointment ;  that  the  bill  pro- 
posing a  General  Assessment  had  been  defeated  ;  and  that 
the  bill  Establishing  Religious  Freedom  had  passed  into  a 
law ;  also,  that  the  act  deprecated  by  them  heretofore,  and 
against  which  they  had,  at  former  meetings,  earnestly 
petitioned,  Incorporating  the  Episcopal  Church,  had  been 
adopted,  one  effect  of  which  was,  to  continue  in  the  hands 
of  that  sect,  a  large  amount  of  property,  the  glebes  espe- 
cially, belonging  rightfully  to  the  State,  and  thereby  to  give 
them  a  great  advantage  over  christians  of  other  denomina- 
tions."    After  mature  consideration,  and   discussion,  the 

*  Henings'  Stat,  at  Large,  Yol.  ii,,  p.  532. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  95 

Committee  adopted  unanimously,  the  following  resolution, 
which  they  carried  out  with  their  usual  enerf^y: — '■'-  Resolved^ 
That  petitions  ought  to  he  drawn  up,  and  circulated  in  the 
different  counties  [for  the  signatures  of  the  people]  and 
presented  to  the  next  General  Assembly,  praying  for  the 
repeal  of  the  Act  Incorporating  the  Episcopal  Church ;  and 
that  the  property  vested  by  that  act,  in  said  church,  be  sold, 
and  the  money  applied  to  the  public  use."  To  carry  out 
these  pui'poses,  and  to  attend  the  Legislature,  E-ev.  Messrs. 
Reuben  Ford,  and  John  Leland,  were  appointed,  on  behalf 
of  the  General  Committee.  The  agitations  commenced, 
and  a  burst  of  indignation  went  throughout  the  State. 
The  Legislature  assembled,  and  of  its  proceedings  in  the 
premises,  Dr.  Hawks  speaks  as  follows: — 

"  The  efforts  of  the  Presbyterians,  and  Baptists  to  procure 
memorials  to  be  presented  to  the  Legislature,  for  a  repeal 
of  the  act  incorporating  the  church,  and  for  the  distribu- 
tion of  its  property  for  the  public  benefit,  have  already  been 
recorded.  The  Convention  [of  the  Ei)iscopal  Church]  was 
not  insensible  to  the  danger  to  be  apprehended  from  the 
deep  seated  hostility  of  these  two  denominations,  and  there- 
fore prepared  a  petition  to  the  Legislature  to  counteract 
the  effect  of  their  memorials,  and  recommended  to  the 
several  parishes,  to  prepare,  and  present  petitions  of  a 
similar  character.  But  all  was  in  vain.  In  the  next  ses- 
sion of  the  General  Assembly  of  Virginia,  which  succeeded 
the  Convention,  these  memorials,  and  petitions,  were 
brought  up  for  consideration,  and  on  the  5th  of  December, 
1786,  the  House  of  Delegates,  among  other  resolutions, 
adopted  the  following : — "  That  the  act  for  incoi-porating 
the  Episcopal  Church  ought  to  be  repealed."  On  the  9th 
of  January,  1787,  the  bill  to  carry  into  effect  these  resolu- 
tions, was  passed  by  the  Senate,  and  thus  became  the  law 
of  Virginia."* 

*  Hist.  Prot.  Epis.  Ch.  in  Va,  p.  194. 


96  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

The  Committee  assembled  August  lOth,  1787,  at  Dover, 
in  Goodland.  Messrs.  Ford  and  Leland,  reported  that 
according  to  their  instructions,  they  presented  the  memo- 
rial entrusted  to  them,  to  the  Legislature ;  that  the  act  in- 
corporating the  Episcopal  Church  was  repealed  in  accor- 
dance with  their  wishes  ;  but  that  the  Glebe  laws  remained 
untouched,  and  in  full  force."  Again  the  Committee  passed 
a  resolution,  declaring  the  Glebes  public  property,  and  that 
they  ought  to  be  sold,  and  the  proceeds  applied  to  public 
purposes.  Their  ends  gained,  as  will  be  seen,  in  regard 
to  these  glebes,  and  their  victory  was  complete.  These 
splendid  estates,  so  numerous  and  so  valuable,  were  still 
in  the  hands  of  the  Episcopal  clergy.  Their  alienation, 
and  sale,  our  fathers  found  to  be  their  most  difficult 
work. 

I  here  take  occasion  to  say,  that  "  TJie  Vestry  Jaw"  of 
which  we  have  frequently  spoken,  was  adopted  March  23rd, 
1660-1,  and  provided,  "That  twelve  of  the  most  able  men 
of  each  parish,  be  by  the  major  part  of  said  parish,  chosen 
to  be  a  vestry ;  out  of  which  number,  the  minister,  and 
vestry,  to  make  choice  of  tAvo  church  wardens  yearly ;  as 
also  in  the  case  of  the  death  of  any  vestryman,  or  his  de- 
parture from  the  parish,  that  the  said  minister,  and  vestry, 
make  choice  of  another  in  his  room."  To  qualify  them  for 
office,  they  were  required  to  take  the  oath  of  supremacy 
to  the  British  Sovereign,  and  "  Subscribe  the  doctrine,  and 
discipline  of  the  Church  of  England."  Among  their  most 
prominent  duties,  they  were  "  To  lay  the  parish  levy,  and 
collect,  and  pay  over  the  amount  to  the  minister."  *  And 
what  the  glebes  in  question  were,  will  perhaps,  be  best 
understood  by  reference  to  some  of  the  leading  laws  by 
which  they  were  brought  into  being.  The  act  of  March 
6th,  1655-6,  provides  that  parishes  be  laid  out  in  every 

*  Laws  of  Ya.,  revised,  fol.  ed.  1769,  pp.  2,  250. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  97 

county,  and  that  by  a  tax  upon  the  people,  funds  be  eolleeted 
to  purchase  "a  glebe,  and  stock,  for  the  minister  that  shall 
be  settled  there."  It  was  enacted  March  9th,  1657-8,  that 
further  taxes  be  laid  upon  the  people,  for  the  "  purchasing 
of  glebes,  and  stock,  for  the  ministers."  These  taxes  were 
levied,  collected,  and  disbursed,  in  each  parish,  by  "  the  ves- 
tries thereof."  In  1748  it  was  enacted,  "  That  in  every 
parish  in  this  Dominion,  where  a  good  and  convenient  glebe 
is  not  already  purchased,  and  appropriated,  a  good  and  con- 
venient tract  of  land,  to  contain  two  hundred  acres  at  least, 
shall  be  purchased  by  the  vestry,  and  assigned,  and  set 
apart,  for  a  glebe,  for  the  use  of  the  minister  of  such  parish, 
and  his  successors  in  all  times  hereafter ;  and  where  man- 
sion, and  other  convenient  out  houses  are  not  already 
erected  for  the  habitation  of  the  minister,  it  is  hereby 
declared,  and  enacted,  that  the  vestry  of  every  such  parish, 
shall  have  power,  and  they  are  hereby  authorized,  and  re- 
quired, to  cause  to  be  erected,  and  built,  on  such  glebe,  one 
convenient  mansion-house,  kitchen,  barn,  stables,  dairy, 
meat-house,  corn-house,  garden  well  paled,  or  enclosed  with 
a  mud  fence,  with  such  other  conveniences  as  they  shall 
think  fit ;  and  to  levy  the  charge  of  the  glebe  lands,  and 
buildings,  on  the  titheable  persons,  in  their  respective 
parishes."  *  Each  parish  had  one  of  these  farms  for  the 
Episcopal  minister.  They  were  usually  among  the  best  in 
the  country.  They  were  bought  with  the  money  of  the 
people,  of  all  the  people,  without  distinction  of  sect.  Our 
brethren  maintained,  therefore,  that  they  belonged  to  the 
people,  and  ought  now  to  be  returned  to  them,  to  assist  in 
paying  the  debts  of  the  country.  This  was  the  result  they 
sought.  Often  had  they  been  foiled  in  their  puq:>ose. 
Long  was  this  act  of  justice  delayed.  But  never  for  a 
moment  did  they  lose  sight  of  their  object,  or  relax  their 
exertions  for   its  attainment.     Memorials  were  regularly 

*Ut  sup  pp.  250,251,252. 

7 


98  EAELY    BAPTISTS 

prepared,  and  commissioners  sent  to  the  Legislature  •  in 
1787,  Eleazar  Clay,  Reuben  Ford,  John  Waller,  and  John 
Williams;  in  1788,  Messrs.  Leland,  Waller,  and  Clay. 
But  to  pursue  this  detail  is  unnecessary.  The  Legislature 
assembled  in  1799,  and  our  memorials  were  presented,  and 
favorably  received.  The  following  act  was  then  passed, 
entitled  "  An  act  to  repeal  certain  acts,  and  to  declare  the 
construction  of  the  Bill  of  Rights,  and  Constitution,  con- 
cerning Religion." 

"  Whereas  the    Constitution    of  the  State  of  Virginia, 
hath  pronounced  the  government  of  the  King  of  England 
to  have  been  totally  dissolved  by  the  Revolution,  hath  sub- 
stituted in  place  of  the  said  government  so  dissolved,  a  new 
civil  government,  and  hath  in  the  Bill  of  Rights  excepted 
from  the  powers  given  to  the  substituted  government,  the 
power  of  reviving  any  species  of  ecclesiastical  or  church 
government,  in  lieu  of  that  so  dissolved,  by  referring  the 
subject   of  religion  to  the    conscience ;  and   whereas   the 
several  acts  presently  recited,  do  admit  the  church   esta- 
blished under  the  regal  government,  to  have  been  continued 
so  subsequently  to  the  constitution ;  have  bestowed  property 
upon  that  church ;  have  asserted  a  legislative  right  to  esta- 
blish any  religious  sect ;  and  have  incorporated  religious 
sects ;  all  of  which  is  inconsistent  with  the  principles  of 
the  constitution,  and  of  religious  freedom,  and  manifestly 
tends  to  the   re-establishment  of  a  national    church  ;  for 
remedy  whereof,"  and  with  this  preamble  it  was  enacted 
that  the  several  acts  of  1776,  of  1779,  of  1784,  of  1785, 
of  1786,  and  1788,  be  repealed;  and  "that  the  act  for  the 
Establishment  of  Religious  Freedom  contains  the  true  con- 
struction of  the  Bill  of  Rights,  and  Constitution."* 

This  law,  as  will  be  seen,  was  a  necessary  preparation 
for,  but  did  not  order  the  sale  of  the  glebes.     This  was 
accomplished  by  the  law  of  January  12th,  1802,  which  is 
*  Laws  of  Ya.,  edit.  1803,  p.  388. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  99 

as  follows : — "  Whereas,  the  General  Assembly,  on  the  24th 
day  of  January,  1799,  by  their  act  of  that  date,  repealed 
all  the  laws  relative  to  the  late  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
and  declared  a  true  exposition  of  the  Bill  of  Kights,  and 
Constitution,  respecting  the  same,  to  be  contained  in  the 
act  entitled  'An  act  for  Establishing  Religious  Freedom,' 
thereby  recognizing  the  principle  that  all  property  formerly 
belonging  to  the  said  church,  of  every  description,  devolved 
on  the  good  people  of  this  Commonwealth,  on  the  dissolu- 
tion of  the  British  government  here,  in  the  same  degree  in 
which  the  right  and  interest  of  the  said  church  was  derived 
therein  from  them ;"  and  the  General  Assembly  proceeds 
to  order  the  sale  of  the  glebes.  The  final  victory  of  The 
Early  Baptists  of  Virginia  was  gained;  their  triumph  was 
complete.  This  closing  measure  Dr.  Hawks  attributes 
emphatically  to  the  Baptists.  Speaking  of  the  decision  of 
the  General  Committee  in  1787,  he  says,  "That  vote  deci- 
ded the  fate  of  the  glebes."  In  another  place  he  observes : 
"After  the  final  success  of  the  Baptists,  [in  their  several 
previous  measures,]  their  next  efforts  were  to  procure  the 
sale  of  the  church  lands,  and  their  efforts  never  ceased 
until  the  glebes  were  sold."  Again  he  remarks : — "  The 
war  which  they  [the  Baptists]  waged  against  the  church, 
was  a  war  of  extermination.  They  seem  to  have  known 
no  relentings,  and  their  hostility  never  ceased  for  seven-and- 
twenfy  years.  They  revenged  themselves  for  their  suffer- 
ings, by  the  almost  total  ruin  of  the  church  ;"  the  loss  of 
all  its  vast  landed  possessions  in  Virginia.* 

Thus,  gentlemen,  have  we  seen  the  designs  in  relation  to 
the  government  of  the  State,  of  The  Early  Baptists  of  Vir- 
ginia; the  measures  they  adopted;  and  the  manner  in 
which  they  prosecuted  them  to  a  successful  issue.  They 
labored  long,  and  anxiously.  Their  success  was  complete. 
They  embodied  all  their  political  principles  as  we  have 

*  Hist,  of  Ch.  iu  Ya.,  pp.  152,  153. 


100  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

clearly  shown,  gradually,  but  surely,  in  the  Declaration  of 
Rights,  the  Constitution,  and  the  Statutes  of  the  State. 
The  enemies  of  religious  freedom,  and  equality,  resisted 
strenuously.  The  struggle  was  intense,  and  protracted. 
They  employed  every  stratagem  to  evade,  or  to  turn  aside 
our  pursuit.  They  relinquished  their  ground  only  as  they 
were  forced,  and  then  inch  by  inch,  and  with  the  bitterest 
reluctance.  All  their  movements  the  Baptists  watched 
with  sleepless  vigilance ;  met  firmly,  and  gallantly,  at  every 
point ;  and  drove  them  back  discomfitted.  Upon  the  legis- 
lative attention  they  continued  to  press  their  doctrines, 
until  their  whole  purpose  was  fully  accomplished.  The 
government  of  Virginia  assumed  the  form  that  met  their 
entire  approval.  It  became  at  length,  it  yet  remains,  God 
grant  it  may  ever  continue,  perfectly  Baptist. 

Nor  did  the  results  of  their  labors  terminate  here.  They 
extended  their  vigilance,  and  with  the  same  success,  to  the 
organization  of  the  General  Government.  They  had  extra- 
ordinary advantage  arising  out  of  the  fact  that  their  ablest 
coadjutors  at  home,  were  prominent  actors  in  the  formation 
of  the  goverment  of  the  United  States.  The  Constitution 
of  the  Federal  Union,  was  adopted  in  1787.  The  Vlth. 
Article  refers  to  religion  in  this  language : — "  No  religious 
test  shall  ever  be  required,  as  a  qualification  to  any  office, 
or  public  trust,  under  the  United  States."  The  General 
Committee  met,  March  the  7th,  1788,  at  Williams',  in 
Goochland.  "  The  first  Religious  Political  subject,"  [I  quote 
from  the  minutes,]  "  that  was  taken  up,"  was,  "  Whether 
the  new  Federal  Constitution,  which  had  now  lately  made 
its  appearance  in  public,  made  sufficient  provision  for  the 
secure  enjoyment  of  religious  liberty;  on  which  it  was 
agreed  unanimously  that  it  did  not."  *  Upon  consultation 
on  the  subject  with  Mr.  Madison,  the  Committee  deter- 
mined to  address  General  Washington.     At  this  meeting, 

*  Semple's  Hist,  of  Ya.  Baptists,  pp.  76,  77. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  101 

a  correspondence  was  present,  from  the  Baptists  of  New 
York,  Rhode  Island,  and  Massachusetts.  Mr.  liCland  was 
appointed  to  bear  to  them  a  response  from  the  Committee, 
in  person,  and  to  solicit  their  co-operation,  which  was 
cordially  granted.  The  address  to  Washington  was  pre- 
sented in  August,  1789,  and  by  his  powerful  aid,  together 
with  that  of  the  other  gentlemen  named,  was  carried 
through  Congress  the  next  month,  September,  1789,  the 
amendment  which  is  now  the  supreme  law  on  that  subject, 
of  the  United  States.  It  is  one  of  those  amendments  set 
down  as  proposed  by  Virginia,  and  is  as  follows : — "  Con- 
gress shall  make  no  law  respecting  an  establishment  of 
religion,  or  prohibiting  the  free  exercise  thereof,  or  abridg- 
ing the  freedom  of  speech,  or  of  the  press  ;  or  the  right  of 
the  people  peaceably  to  assemble,  and  to  petition  the  gov- 
ernment for  a  redress  of  grievances."  Thus  do  we  see  that 
the  Baptists  embodied  their  principles  not  only  in  the  Con- 
stitution of  Virginia,  but  also  in  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States.  The  American  government  is  Baptist. 
And  who  does  not  know  the  paramount  influence  of  Vir- 
ginians, and  Virginia  laws,  in  the  formation  of  the  govern- 
ments of  the  other  States,  all  of  which  at  last  adopted  fully, 
in  principle,  and  in  practice,  the  doctrine  of  "  Religious 
Freedom."  All  these  glorious  results  reflect  additional 
lustre  upon  the  fame  of  "  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia." 
Into  these  considerations,  however,  I  do  not  enter.  I  con- 
fine myself  to  Virginia.  Here  the  Baptist  triumph  was 
completed. 

But,  in  the  statement  of  the  facts  now  submitted,  have 
we  not,  the  question  naturally  arises,  done  injustice  to  our 
brethren  of  the  other  denominations  that  then  prevailed  in 
the  Commonwealth"? 

From  the  brow,  gentlemen,  of  any  patriot  of  "  those  times 
that  tried  men's  souls,"  fnv  be  it  from  me  to  pluck  a  single 
laurel.     I  give,  and  will  ever  give,  all  "  honor  to  whom 


102  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

honor"  is  due.  That  very  many  of  all  denominations, 
Presbyterians,  and  even  Methodists,  and  Episcopalians, 
labored  together  with  the  Baptists,  is  well  known.  But  it 
is  equally  well  known,  that  whatever  action  they  took 
in  favor  of  full  religious  freedom,  was  due  to  them  as 
individuals,  and  not  as  churches.  The  Episcopal  Churches, 
as  such,  resisted,  as  they  are  all  obliged  to  concede, 
earnestly,  and  to  the  end,  all  change,  and  sought  by 
every  possible  means  to  retain  their  hold  upon  the 
power  and  patronage  of  the  government.  Of  the  Me- 
thodist Churches,  Dr.  Hawks,  says : — "  They  claimed  to  be 
nothing  more  than  members  of  a  religious  society,  formed 
within  the  bosom  of  the  established  church  at  home,  and 
extended  to  America.  The  language  of  the  Methodist 
Preachers  was,  that  '  All  who  left  the  Church,  left  the 
Methodists.'  Nay,  such  was  the  avowed  attachment  of  the 
society,  that  in  public  opinion  it  was  so  far  identified  with 
the  Church,  as  to  share  with  it  the  odium  which  from  po- 
litical causes,  then  rested  on  the  establishment  in  Virginia. 
The  Methodists  were  suspected  of  being  inimical  to  the 
liberties  of  America.  This  suspicion  in  the  minds  of  many, 
originated  in  nothing  but  the  known  adherence  of  the 
society  to  an  ecclesiastical  system  which  had  the  support 
of  the  civil  power."*  He  adds,  "  In  these  petitions,  all 
classes  in  the  community,  with  the  exception  of  Churchmen 
and  Methodists,  joined;  these  [Churchmen  and  Methodists] 
sent  in  their  respective  petitions,  for  the  continuance  of  the 
establishment."t  The  Presbyterian  Churches,  except  the 
gallant  little  Planover  Presbytery,  which,  as  we  have  before 
seen,  lived  in  the  neighborhood,  and  were  under  the  influ- 
ence of  Patrick  Henry,  generally  favoring  or  opposing  every 
measure  which  he  favored  or  opposed,  occupied  a  middle 
ground  between  vassalage  and  freedom.  They  all  united 
to  put  down  the  establishment,  but  then,  most  of  them 

*  Hist,  of  Epis.  in  Ya.,  p.  133.  t  Hawks  as  above,  p.  139. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  10;i 

wished  to  be  incorporated — in  other  words,  estahlislied — 
themselves,  and  to  have  the  power  by  law,  to  assess,  that 
is,  to  tax  the  people,  for  their  own  support.  Dr.  Semple, 
says  of  them  all,  that  "The  ministry  and  the  people,  were 
so  much  at  variance,  as  to  paralyze  all  their  exertions."  Tlie 
Baptists  alone,  throuo-hout  the  whole  struggle,  presented  an 
unbroken  front.  The  Hanover  Presbytery,  and  Patrick 
Henry  himself,  in  some  of  our  deepest  struggles,  not  only 
forsook  us,  but,  as  we  have  seen,  took  opposite  ground,  and 
sought  with  all  their  ability,  to  prevent  our  success.  This 
was  emphatically  true  when  the  bill  was  under  discussion 
before  the  legislature,  "  Establishing  a  Provision  for  Teach- 
ers of  the  Christian  Peligion,"  which  enacted  for  that  pur- 
pose, the  assessment  of  taxes  upon  the  people.  They  sent 
up  a  memorial  declining  an  incorporation,  not  abstractly^  but 
in  that  particitJar  form  which  was  proposed,  because  it 
offered  to  incorporate  the  ministry  apart  from  the  people, 
since  this  would  make  the  ministry  independent  of  the  reli- 
gious communities  to  which  they  belonged;  would  make 
them  sole  managers  of  the  pecuniary  interests  of  the 
Churches ;  and  would  be  a  returning  to  the  policy  of  Po- 
pery. They  deprecated  legislation  by  the  State,  as  to  any 
thing  spiritual  belonging  to  the  Church,  such  as  pointing 
out  "  articles  of  faith,"  ''  settling  modes  of  worship,"  "  or 
directing  internal  government ;"  but  admitted  it  as  to  tem- 
poralities.  They  prayed  that  the  scheme  of  assessment 
adopted,  if  any  were,  might  be  "  on  the  most  liberal  plan," 
and  proceeded  to  submit  such  a  plan,  "  agreeable  to  which 
alone,"  they  averred,  '-^Presbytery  are  wiUiiig  to  admit  a 
general  assessment  for  the  support  of  religion  by  law ;"  the 
leading  principles  of  which  have  been  already  fully  stated. 
This  bill,  and  also  the  bill,  "  Incorporating  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,"  received,  as  we  have  seen,  the  powerful 
advocacy  of  Henry.  The  latter  was  passed  into  a  law.  The 
intelligence  of  this  fact,  as  it  spread  throughout  the  State, 


104  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

filled  the  people  with  equal  surprise  and  alarm.  The  Bap- 
tists saw  that  they  must  fight  this  battle  alone,  and  against 
fearful  odds.  They  therefore  with  augmented  energy  and 
industry,  made  their  preparations.  They  appealed  confi- 
dently to  their  fellow  citizens.  Their  memorials  written 
with  singular  perspicuity,  force,  and  conclusiveness,  were 
signed  by  thousands  of  every  sect,  and  of  no  sect.  The 
masses,  with  whom  republicanism  had  become  the  domi- 
nant political  faith,  now  at  length,  regarded  the  church 
establishment,  and  all  legislation  upon  religious  subjects,  as 
an  inseparable  appendage  of  monarchy,  the  last  vestige  of 
which  they  had  determined  to  destroy  in  Virginia.  "  King- 
craft, priestcraft,  and  spiritual  domination,"  were  doomed. 
From  their  purpose  nothing  could  turn  them  aside.  They 
were  too  powerful  to  be  slighted,  and  too  vigilant  to  be 
cheated  by  ineffectual  measures.  Politicians  of  all  classes, 
saw,  that  submission  to  their  wishes  was  a  necessity  una- 
voidable. Under  this  pressure,  the  Hanover  Presbytery 
again  met  in  annual  session.  They  too  had  taken  the  alarm. 
These  subjects  came  up  for  discussion.  Efforts  were  made 
to  induce  the  body  to  recede  from  its  position  of  the  last 
year,  and  they  did  so  by  resolution,  but  no  memorial  or 
other  address,  was  sent  hy  them  to  the  legislature.  A  Con- 
vention  of  Presbyterians  was  called  by  "  invitation,"  says  Dr. 
Eoote,  "  signed  by  the  ministers,  and  several  private  mem- 
bers." Such  a  body  was  of  course  unofficial,  whose  pro- 
ceedings the  Hanover,  and  every  other  Presbytery,  could, 
if  policy  should  in  future  so  dictate,  safely  disregard.  This 
Convention  met  at  Bethel,  August  the  10th,  1785,  and 
protested  against  all  assessments  by  law,  for  religious  pur- 
poses, and  all  incorporations  of  religious  denominations.* 
Popular  as  he  was  in  every  sense,  this  year  Patrick  Henry 
lost  his  election  before  the  people.  The  legislature  met. 
The  Baptists  and  their  allies,  and  also  their  opponents  were 

*  Foote's  Sketches,  &c.,  pp.  341-344. 


IN    VIRGINIA.  ^fffS 

at  their  posts.  The  assessment  project  was  defeated,  and 
suhseqiiently  the  law  "  incorporating  tlie  Episcopal  Cliurch" 
was  repealed.  Thus,  it  will  be  seen  that  in  the  statements 
before  you,  while  I  have  endeavoured  properly  to  represent, 
"  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia,"  I  have  also  done  full  jus- 
tice to  our  brethren  of  all  the  other  denominations.  I  low 
truly  disinterested  and  sublime  were  all  the  movements  of 
the  Baptists!  Wliocan  contemplate  them,  without  feeling 
an  unbounded  admiration !  They  sought  no  advantages  for 
themselves  peculiarly,  but  for  all ;  the  dominion  of  truth 
and  freedom ;  the  glorious  principles  of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 
All  honor  to  "  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia."  Impartial 
history  cannot  always  refuse  to  do  them  justice. 

VI.  The  position  of  our  ministers  and  people  in  the  com- 
monwealth, demands  in  conclusion,  a  few  moments  of  our 
attention. 

That  a  body  of  men  so  elevated  in  their  moral  position, 
so  active  in  their  exertions  for  the  public  good,  and  so  in- 
fluential in  all  their  movements,  should  subsequently  have 
been  permitted  to  be  so  much  depreciated  in  the  public 
esteem,  as  we  find  them  to  have  been,  is  to  us,  matter  of 
profound  surprise.  I  should  have  performed  my  task  un- 
faithfully, gentlemen,  if,  before  I  conclude  this  discourse,  I 
did  not  essay  at  least,  to  defend  our  Virginia  Fathers  from 
aspersions  under  which  they  have  so  long  labored,  and  to 
place  them  before  "  The  American  Baptist  Historical  So- 
ciety," in  their  true  character.  Churches,  as  well  as  fami- 
lies and  nations,  have  their  pride  of  ancestry.  To  this 
praiseworthy  feeling,  poets  and  historians  in  all  ages,  have 
been  wont  to  defer.  The  heroes  of  Homer  were  all  allied 
to  the  gods,  whose  feelings  were  in  every  conflict,  enlisted 
on  the  side  of  their  respective  descendants.  Virgil  repre- 
sents the  Roman  people  as  springing  from  a  long  line  of 
Latin  Kings,  and  the  founder  of  their  city  as  a  demigod, 


106  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

the  son  of  Mars.  Even  Livy,  the  best  of  Roman  historians, 
introduces  his  work  by  similar  fabulous  accounts.  These 
extravagances  are  not  all  on  one  side,  as  the  depreciations 
of  our  ancestors  evince.  The  disposition  to  exalt  our 
friends,  is  coupled  with  an  involuntary  inclination  to  de- 
press our  opponents.  Accordingly  they  have  been  cur- 
rently represented  as  indeed,  eminently  religious  and  con- 
scientious men,  estimable  in  their  places,  but  without  refine- 
ment, destitute  of  learning,  and  to  a  great  extent,  bigotted 
enthusiasts  !  All  this  is  utterly  unfounded,  and  ought  long 
since  to  have  been  corrected.  How  did  such  an  impres- 
sion regarding  "The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia"  originate "? 
By  what  means  has  it  been  so  long  perpetuated'?  The 
solution  of  both  these  inquiries  is  easy  to  any  one  who  will 
carefully  study  the  whole  subject. 

The  extraordinary  triumphs  of  the  Baptists  are  at  the 
bottom  of  it  all.  These  mortified  various  influential  par- 
ties insufl'erably,  by  whom  they  were  privately,  and  through 
the  press  and  the  pulpit,  as  we  have  seen,  instantly  and 
ceaselessly  assailed.  They  thought  to  treat  them  in  Vir- 
ginia as  they  had  been  treated  in  Germany  and  England, 
to  "  tread  them  under  foot,  with  foul  reproaches  and  most 
arrogant  scorn."  Nor,  incredible  as  it  may  appear,  have 
they  been  entirely  unsuccessful.  These  "foul  reproaches," 
this  "  arrogant  scorn,"  in  the  consciousness  of  their  integ- 
rity and  the  pride  of  their  strength,  they  did  not  deign  to 
notice.  TJieir  enemies  persevered  in  their  aspersions  and 
defamations.  They  were  unanswered.  Subsequent  writers 
entered  into  their  spirit,  and  copied  their  style.  Whether 
abused  as  by  Burk  and  Jarrett,  misrepresented  as  by  Dr. 
Hawks,  ignored  as  by  Dr.  Foote,  or  caricatured  as  by  Dr. 
Alexander,  it  was  the  same  thing.  And  among  these  de- 
famers,  involuntarily  such  it  is  hoped,  I  regret  to  say,  are 
some  in  our  own  ranks,  who  seem  to  think  themselves  at 
liberty  patronizingly  to  apologize  for  the  deficiencies  of  men 


IN    VIRGINIA.  107 

to  whom  tlicy  themselves  arc  no  more  than  molehills  by 
the  side  of  "  Old  Olympus."  Thus,  a  form  of  public  sen- 
timent was  manufactured,  which,  on  account  of  the  quarter 
whence  it  sprung,  and  because  it  was  unresisted,  sunk  at 
length  deeply  into  the  literature  of  the  times,  and  became 
comparatively  permanent.  At  first,  for  much  of  the 
revolutionary  spirit  that  prevailed  among  the  masses,  and 
especially  those  radical  principles  of  liberty,  political  and 
religious,  so  offensive  to  the  clergy  and  their  friends,  they 
were  held  responsible.  Not  a  few  of  those  who  were  anxi- 
ous, subsequently,  to  appropriate  to  themselves  the  chief 
honors,  were  at  that  time  sufficiently  silent;  because  they 
had  many  reasons  to  doubt  whether  the  British  yoke  would, 
after  all,  be  broken,  and  for  their  own  safety  they  were  ever 
especially  mindful.  Had  the  American  revolution  failed, 
the  Baptists  of  this  country  would  undoubtedly  have  been 
involved  in  an  obloquy  as  deep  as  was  that  of  their  brethren 
of  a  former  age,  in  Germany.  Their  offences  would  here 
also  have  been  expiated  by  "  the  blood  of  myriads."  Vir- 
ginia would  have  been  the  Munster  of  America.  It  was, 
therefore,  precisely  because  they  possessed,  so  eminently, 
intelligence,  public  influence,  and  moral  force ;  those  very 
qualities  now  denied  them,  and  for  the  want  of  which  they 
have  been  so  long  defamed,  and  which  they  exercised  so 
successfully ;  that  this  feeling  of  dislike,  not  to  say  hatred, 
arose,  and  has  ever  since  been  cherished,  by  all  the  other 
denominations.  They  are  gravely  charged,  in  learned  and 
popular  histories  of  the  times,  and  which  none  of  our  own 
people,  since  the  days  of  Semple,  have  ever  contradicted, 
but  have  quoted  apparently  with  approbation,  with  being 
influenced  in  all  they  did  by  such  motives  only  as  malignant 
hatred  to  the  Established  Church ;  an  overweening  zeal  to 
advance  their  own  interest  as  a  sect ;  and  a  general  restless 
and  disorganizing  spirit ;  as  guided  by  no  patriotism ;  and 


108  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

as  being  the  mere  tools  of  a  political  party.*  Gentlemen, 
are  these  slanders  to  remain  always  unanswered'?  All  the 
implications  contained  in  these,  and  like  representations, 
severally  and  as  a  whole,  and  all  others  of  like  character, 
from  whatever  source,  here,  and  in  your  presence,  I  repel,  in 
the  name,  and  on  behalf  of  the  noble  dead.  They  were 
capable  of  being  influenced  by  no  such  feelings,  or  motives. 
They  sought  no  sectarian  advantages.  They  were  impelled 
by  no  malignity.  No  spirit  of  revenge  animated  their  pro- 
ceedings. They  maintained  courteously,  but  firmly,  only 
those  doctrines  which  their  fathers  had  advocated  for  seven- 
teen centuries.  They  desired  only  the  dominion  of  those 
great  principles  embodied  in  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  In  the  results,  we  see  another  happy  illustration 
of  the  great  fact,  that  although  after  many  a  century  of 
suffering  and  strife,  and  the  sacrifice  of  millions  of  treasure, 
and  tens  of  thousands  of  the  purest  lives  ever  looked  upon 
by  the  sun  from  heaven,  still, 

"  Truth,  crushed  to  earth,  will  rise  again ; 
The  eternal  years  of  God  are  hers ; 
While  error,  wounded,  writhes  in  pain, 
And  dies  amid  her  worshippers." 

The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia  were  not,  as  a  whole,  nor 
are  the  present  Baptists  of  Virginia,  the  elite ;  the  aristo- 
cratic few  who  revel  in  luxury,  and  pride  themselves,  not 
upon  what  they  themselves  are,  but  upon  the  exalted  posi- 
tion and  great  deeds  of  a  long  since  buried  ancestry.  They 
were  the  masses  of  the  people ;  the  bone  and  sinew  of  the 
country.  Our  churches  contained,  with  these,  many  of  the 
poor  and  obscure,  who  were  "  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of  the 
kingdom,"  These  classes  proved  to  be  the  truest,  best  and 
most  useful  friends  of  the  cause.  It  was  from  the  rich,  the 
proud,  and  the  high  born,  of  which  they  contained  so  many, 

*  See  Hawks'  History,  pp.  121,  122, 137,  138  ;  Dr.  John  H.  Eice's  Pamph- 
lets; Dr.  Alexander's  Autobiography ;  and  Scrapie's  History,  pp.  234,  245. 


IN     VIRGINIA.  109 

that  the  cause  received  mucli  detriment,  and  the  aspersions 
of  our  enemies  were  so  long  and  so  injuriously  perpetuated. 
Large  numbers  of  such,  compelled  by  their  consciences, 
united  with  the  Baptists,  and  were  ever  afterwards  boasting 
of  the  sacrifices  of  society,  friendships,  and  refinements,  they 
made  to  do  so.  To  talk  of  "  the  poor  Baptists ;"  to  tell  of 
"  the  ignorance  "  of  some  Baptist  minister  they  had  either 
seen,  or  heard  of;  to  detail  the  opposition  of  their  friends, 
or  their  flimilies,  to  their  throwing  themselves  away  with 
such  a  rustic  people  ;  became  with  them  a  passion.  It 
invaded  the  pulpit.  Often,  indeed,  was  the  same  strain 
heard  from  the  poorest  of  the  community,  who  wished  to 
be  in  fashion  with  their  more  cultivated  brethren  and  sis- 
ters. The  effect  upon  their  own  minds  was  most  lament- 
able; their  families  generally  had,  in  consequence,  no 
respect  for  Baptist  ministers,  or  people,  avoided  them,  and 
united  with  other  denominations,  who  were,  perhaps,  really 
less  intelligent,  cultivated,  and  wealthy,  than  the  Baptists ; 
and  our  opponents,  and  the  world,  were  ever  ready  to 
believe,  and  repeat,  their  outrageous  defamations.  Not  all, 
thank  God,  of  the  exalted,  the  rich,  and  the  cultivated, 
were  of  this  temper.  Not  a  few  there  were,  in  whose  veins 
coursed  the  blood  of  the  proudest  cavaliers  in  the  Common- 
wealth, who  loved  the  Saviour,  his  truth,  and  his  people, 
too  much,  and  whose  sense  of  propriety  was  too  pure,  to 
allow  them  to  act  so  foolishly.  The  Baptist  people,  as  a 
whole,  were,  in  all  respects,  equal  at  least  to  the  same 
number  of  men  and  women,  taken  promiscuously  in  society, 
in  this  or  in  any  other  country.  It  is  time.  Gentlemen, 
that  these  great  and  good  men  were  effectually  vindicated. 
In  the  cold  shadows  that  have  been  permitted  to  gather 
over  and  obscure  their  flime,  true  religion  has  suffered,  and 
continues  to  suffer,  immeasurably.  Baptists  owe  it  to  the 
revered  dead ;  they  owe  it  to  the  cause  of  truth ;  they  owe 
it  to  themselves ;  they  owe  it  to  posterity,  to  rescue  them, 


110  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

though  late,  from  the  withering  grasp  of  their  heartless 
pursuers.  Not  much  longer  can  they  be  kept  beneath  the 
clouds  of  pampered  envy  and  foul  detraction.  Truth  will 
prevail  at  last.  Then  will  it  be  seen  and  acknowledged, 
that  a  more  brilliant  army,  a  more  gallant  array  of  the 
soldiers  of  Christ,  never  fought  or  conquered. 

The  early  Baptists  of  Virginia  were  reproached  upon  the 
presumption  that  their  ministers  were  uneducated  men. 
This  feature  is  nauseously  prominent  in  the  frequent  refer- 
ences to  them  of  Dr.  Alexander.  Of  other  denominations, 
the  ministry  desire  to  be  judged  by  their  best  specimens. 
Ours,  they  insist  upon  judging  by  the  Avorst.  Were  Bap- 
tists, even  in  those  days,  indifferent  to  the  advantages  of 
education?  Why,  then,  at  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Committee,  a  body  which  represented  the  views  of  all  the 
Baptists  in  the  State,  held  in  August,  1788,  did  they  deter- 
mine to  originate  a  college  for  the  denomination  in  Virgi- 
nia, which  they  urged  onward  for  several  years,  and  deferred 
only  because  of  the  pecuniary  pressure  of  the  times  1  Is 
not  this,  of  itself,  a  sufficient  evidence  of  the  feelings  of 
our  ministers  and  people  on  this  subject '?  Were  the  min- 
isters of  that  day,  however,  in  the  truest  and  best  sense  of 
learning,  really  uneducated  men"?  No,  Gentlemen,  very 
far  from  it.  Some  of  them  were  graduates  of  colleges,  in 
this  country,  and  in  Europe.  I  will  not  say  that,  for  all 
practical  purposes,  these  were  more  learned  than  many  of 
their  brethren  whom  they  honored,  and  with  whom  they 
delighted  to  labor.  Cast  your  eye  along  their  thick  and 
serried  ranks.  Who  are  they  ]  They  are  the  Stearnses, 
the  Marshalls,  the  Harrises,  the  Craigs,  the  Armsteads,  the 
Wallers,  the  Fords,  the  Williamses,  the  Tolers,  the  Clays, 
the  Nelsons,  the  Barrows,  the  Walkers,  and  hundreds  of 
others.  They  came  from  the  pulpits  of  the  Episcopal,  the 
Presbyterian,  the  Congregational,  and  other  Churches ; 
from  their  seats  in  the  colonial  legislature ;  from  the  bar 


IN    VIRGINIA.  Ill 

of  our  courts ;  from  the  roll  of  army  officers  ;  from  the 
tcaclier's  chair;  from  the  offices  of  the  justices  and  sheriffs 
of  the  counties ;  and  from  the  broad  fields  of  the  wealthy 
planter.  The  number  of  the  strikingly  illiterate  was  not, 
perhaps,  greater  than  of  those  who  had  passed  through 
college  formalities.  But  tlie  great  mass  of  our  ministry 
were  7iot  clasaicaUy  educated.  How  could  they  have  been  \ 
Still,  their  learning  was  not  inferior  to  tliat  of  the  best 
portion  of  the  people.  Were  men  in  the  other  professions 
all  classically  educated]  Was  Patrick  Henry  classically 
educated  I  Were  Bland,  Pendleton,  Carrington,  classically 
educated  \  Was  AVashington  himself  classically  educated] 
Of  our  ministers,  the  education  of  not  a  few,  literary  and 
professional,  was  equal,  to  say  the  least,  with  that  of  any 
of  these  truly  great  and  distinguished  men.  That  they 
had  not  the  theological  training  of  the  schools,  we  have 
reason  to  be  devoutly  thankful ;  since  there  then  existed 
not  upon  the  face  of  the  earth  an  institution  of  this  class, 
Protestant  or  Papist,  the  theology  of  which  was  not  radi- 
cally and  incurably  corrupt.  From  tlie  Bible  alone,  which 
they  studied  daily,  with  clear  heads,  warm  hearts,  and 
fervent  piety,  they  derived  their  theology.  Of  the  true 
teachings  of  the  word  of  God,  they  consequently  knew 
more  than  did  all  the  Doctors  of  the  Sorbonne,  of  Witten- 
burg,  of  Geneva,  of  Oxford,  or  of  Cambridge. 

Is  it  pretended  that,  as  a  whole,  or  even  generally,  their 
sermons  were  greatly  inferior  in  style  and  elocution,  and 
that  their  manners  in  the  pulpit  were,  for  that  day,  rude 
and  unpolished] 

That  there  were  some  among  them,  here  and  there  an 
individual,  obnoxious  to  this  imputation,  and  that  the  same 
was  true  to  an  equal  extent,  in  proportion  to  numbers,  of 
most  of  the  other  denominations,  there  can  be  no  doubt. 
But  of  them  as  a  class,  it  was  far  from  being  true.  Baptist 
ministers  generally,  destitute  of  learning  or  eloquence,  rude, 


112  EARLY    BAPTISTS 

repulsive!     Why,  then,  gentlemen,  were  their  discourses 
always  heard  by  immense  crowds,  who  were  swayed  and 
agitated  by  them,  to  an  extent  unprecedented  1     Why  were 
the  splendid  parish  churches,  whose  magnificent  ruins  stand 
to  this  day,  in  many  of  the  lower  counties  of  Virginia,  the 
mouldering  monuments  of  colonial  pride  and  extravagance, 
forsaken  by  their  polished  and  courtly  congregations,  who 
eagerly  followed  these  plebeians,  hung  upon  their  words 
with  wrapt  and  delighted  attention,  and  by  hundreds  united 
with  our  churches "?     By  what  power  did  they  overthrow 
the  triple  walled  citadel  of  the  Establishment ;   sever  the 
relations  between  church  and  state  ;  carry  the  whole  people 
with  them ;  and  impress  their  doctrines  irrevocably  upon 
the  government  of  the   country'?     If  without  their  aid, 
and  loaded  besides  with  repulsiveness,  they  did  all  this, 
then  of  what  practical  value  are  learning,  eloquence,  refine- 
ment, and  polished  manners ;  since,  destitute  of  them  all, 
"  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia  "  did  more  than,  in  any 
other  age  or  country,  ever  was  accomplished  by  the  great, 
the  mighty,  and  the  wise  ]     If  some  of  them  were  "  no  ora- 
tors," and  this  is  certainly  true,  where  is  the  denomination 
every  one  of  whose  ministers  is  a  Whitefield,  a  Hall,  or  a 
Chalmers "?      Our  ministers,  and  our  people,  had  all  the 
learning,  wealth,  refinement,  and  influence,  necessary  for 
the  accomplishment  of  those  great  purposes  to  which,  in 
the  providence  of  God,  they  were  called.     Not  a  few  of 
them  were  men  of  amazing  attainments.     The  Marshalls, 
the  Harrises,  the  Williamses,  the  Walkers,  the  Lunsfords, 
the  Stranghans ;  and  in  later  times,  the  Semples,  the  Clop- 
tons,  the  Goodalls,  the  KeiTs,  and  the  Broadduses ;  these, 
and  such  as  these,  possessed  an  amount  of  mental  vigor,  of 
intellectual  cultivation,  and  pulpit  power,  that  justly  placed 
them  on  a  level  with  any  other  ministers  of  their  day,  and 
country.     Of  eloquence,  they  were  the  very  chiefs.     With 
unsurpassed  success,  did  they  proclaim 


IN    VIRGINIA.  113 

"Truths  of  power, 
In  words  immortal.     Not  such  words  as  flash 
From  the  fierce  demagogue's  unthinking  rage, 
To  madden  for  a  moment,  and  expire ; 
Nor  such  as  the  wrapt  orator  imbues 
"With  warmth  of  facile  sympathy,  and  mould.s 
To  mirrors  radiant  with  fair  images, 
To  grace  the  noble  fervor  of  an  hour ; 
But  words  which  bear'the  spirit  of  great  deeds, 
Winged  for  the  future." 

To  us,  and  especially  to  "  The  American  Baptist  Histori- 
cal Society,"  have  "  The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia  "  be- 
queathed the  custody  of  their  illustrious  name ;  their  sacred 
honor.  You,  Gentlemen,  will  not  prove  recreant  to  the 
trust.  Nor  will  the  sons  of  Virginia,  who  have  inherited 
the  sunny  fields  in  which  they  achieved  their  conquests, 
now  so  full  of  fruit,  and  flowers,  and  beauty.  AYill  you, 
shall  we,  who  have  entered  into  their  labors,  longer  refrain 
to  drive  back  their  assailants,  by  a  proper  exhibition  of  the 
truth?  He  who  can  coldly,  silently,  heartlessly,  permit 
their  noble  bearing,  their  generous  sacrifices,  their  exalted 
deeds,  to  be  buried  in  darkness,  deserves  not  the  name  of 
Baptist.  And  he  who,  with  parricidal  hand,  shall  assist  in 
their  defamation,  deserves,  and  will  ere  long  receive,  the 
execration  of  all  good  men.  More  and  more  precious  with 
each  revolving  year,  shall  become  the  memory  of  our  fath- 
ers. No  element  of  security,  moral  or  material,  will  we 
permit  to  remain  unimproved,  which  may  point  with  im- 
pressive force  that  important  lesson,  commended  no  less  by 
the  instincts  of  the  universal  heart,  than  by  the  testimony 
of  all  experience,  that  any  people  who  would  expect  the 
blessing  of  God,  insure  their  own  honor,  and  hope  for 
future  success,  must  preserve  as  an  inviolable  treasure  the 
broad  segis  upon  which  are  emblazoned  the  virtues  and 
achievements  of  their  forefathers. 

8 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  SOCHTY. 


Artiolr  1.     This  Department  shall  be  called  Tuk  Amkrica.v  Baptist  H/-i- 

TORiCAL  Society. 

Article  2.  The  object  of  this  Society  shall  be  to  collect  and  preserve  all 
manuscripts,  documents  and  books,  relating  to  Baptist  History ;  the  biogra- 
phies of  individuals,  etc.,  etc.,  and  to  publish  such  historical  and  antiquarian 
works  as 'the  interests  of  the  Denomination  may  demand. 

Articlf,  8.  This  Society  shall  be  composed  of  two  classes  of  members,  to 
wit;  1st.  Contributing  members;  who  shall  consist  of  all  such  persons  as  may 
make  an  annual  payment  of  one  dollar  to  the  Treasurer,  or  as  may  collect  and 
contribute  to  the  society  any  valuable  historical  documents,  periodicals  or 
manuscripts.  2d.  Corresponding  members;  of  whom  not  less  than  one  in  each 
State  shall  be  appointed.  All  members  shall  be  elected  by  the  Board  of 
Curators. 

Article  4.  The  officers  of  the  Society  shall  consist  of  a  President,  eight 
Vice-Presidents,  a  Corresponding  and  a  Recording  Secretary  and  a  Treasurer, 
who  with  twelve  other  persons  shall  constitute  a  Board  of  Curators.  The 
officers  shall  be  elected  by  "  The  American  Baptist  Publication  Society  "  at 
each  annual  meeting,  and  shall  hold  their  offices  until  their  successors  are  ap- 
pointed. 

Article  5.  The  Board  of  Curators  shall  have  the  cOntrol  and  management 
of  all  such  manuscripts,  periodicals  and  books,  as  may  be  collected  by  or  con- 
tributed to  the  Society,  and  they  shall  present  a  report  of  their  proceedings  to 
"  The  American  Baptist  Publication  Society,"  at  each  anniversary,  and  shall 
fill  all  vacancies  that  may  occur  in  their  body. 

Article  6.  This  Society  shall  hold  an  annual  meeting  on  the  evening  suc- 
ceeding the  Anniversary  of  the  Publication  Society,  when  a  Historical  Addres.s 
shall  be  delivered  by  such  person,  and  on  such  subject,  as  the  Board  of  Curators 
may  designate. 

Article  7.  Any  Society  organized  for  the  same  or  a  similar  object,  may 
become  a  co-operating  body  with  this,  by  opening  a  correspondence  with  this 
Society,  and  furnishing  a  copy  of  their  constitution,  reports  and  publications. 

The  officers  and  delegates  of  such  co-operating  societies  shall  be  entitled  to 
a  seat  at  the  meetings  of  this  Society. 

Article  8.  The  Board  of  Curators  shall  meet  as  often  as  they  think  proper, 
and  shall  pass  such  by-laws  as  they  may  deem  requisite  for  their  government. 

Article  9.  This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  any  annual 
meeting  of  "The  American  Baptist  Publication  Society,"  by  that  body. 


OFFICERS  AND  CURATORS  FOR  185C-T. 


PRESIDEXT. 

Rkt.  Wilijam  R.  Wri.i.iAMs,  I).  D. 


VICE-PRESIDKNTS. 


Rev.  John  M.  Peck,  P.  D.,  III., 
"  Wm.  Hague,  D.  D.,  N.  Y., 
"  Baron  Stow,  D.  D.,  Mass., 
"     R.  B.  C.  Howell,  D.  D.,  Va. 


Hon.  A.  H.  Dunlevy,  Ohio., 
Hon.  Isaac  Davis,  LL.  D.,  Mass., 

Samuel  Colgate,  Esq.,  N.  Y., 
Rev.  Franklin  Wilson,  M.  A.,  Md. 


CORRESPONDING    SECRETARY. 

Rev.  J.  Nrwton  Brown,  D.  D. 

RECORDING    SECRETARY, 

TToRATio  G.  Jones,  M.  A.,  Esy. 

treasuk  r. 
Rev.  Benj.  R.  Loxley. 


Rev.  Joseph  Belcher,  D.  D., 
"     Wm.  B.  Jacobs,  M.  A., 
"     Thomas  H.  Malcom,  M.  A. 
"     N.  B.  Baldwin., 
"     John  M.  Richards,  M.  A., 
"     D.  Benedict,  D.  D. 


Rev.  C.  W.  Anable,  M.  A., 

'^     W.  T.  Bunker, 
Levi  Knowles,  Esq., 
Jacob  Chalfant,  Esq., 
Samuel  B.  Crozer,  Esq., 
Franklin  Lee,  Esq, 


CORRESPONDING   MP^MBERS. 


Maine. 

Rev.  S.  L.  Caldwell,  Bang-or. 
Rev.  J.  Belcher,  Damaiiscotta. 

Nkw  Hampshire. 

Rev.  E.  Worth,  Fisherville. 
Rev.  E.  E.  Cummings,  Pittsfield. 

Vermont. 
Rev.  E.  Smith,  I).  D.,  Fairfax. 

Massachusetts. 

Rev.  R.  H.  Neale,  D.  D.,  Boston. 
Rev.  S.  F.  Smith,  D.  D.,  Boston. 
Rev.  R.  E.  Pattison,  D.  D.,  Watterville. 
Rev.  G.  B.  Ide,  D.  D.,  Springfield. 
Rev.  Thomas  D.  Anderson,  Roxbury. 
Hon.  G.  N.  Briggs,  LL.  D.,  Pittsfield. 
Rev.  J.  C.  Stockbridge,  Boston. 
Rev.  Hemau  Lincoln,  Jamaica  Plain. 

Connecticut. 

Rev.  R.  Turnbull,  D.  D.,  Hartford. 
Rev.  S.  D.  Phelps,  D.  D.,  New  Haven. 
Rev.  Nathaniel  Wildman,  AVaterford. 
Rev.  James  J.  Woolsey,  Norwalk. 

Rhode  Island. 

Rev.  D.  Benedict,  D.  D.,  Pawtucket. 
Professor  William  Gammell,  Prov. 
Rev.  Henry  Jackson,  D.  D.,  Newport. 
Rev.  S.  Adams,  Newport. 
R.  A.  Guild,  Esq.,  Providence. 

New  Yokk  City. 

Rev.  A.  D.  Gillette,  D.  D. 

Rev.  E.  L.  Magoon,  D.  D. 

Martin  B.  Anderson  LL.  D.,  Rochest'r. 

Rev.  George  B.  Utter,  New  York. 

New  Yokk  State. 

Rev.  E.  E.  L.  Taylor,  D  D..  Brooklyn, 
Hon.  Ira  Harris  LL.  D.,  Albany. 
Jesse  Clement,  Esq.,  Buffalo. 


New  Jeuskt. 
Bev.  J    M.  Carpenter,  Jacob's  Town. 
Rev.  George  Kemjjton,  New  Brunswick. 
Rev.  Greenleaf  S.  Webb,  D.  U.,   do. 
Rev.  C.  B.  Stout,  Middleton. 
Rev.  Rufus  Babcock,  D.  D.,  Paterson. 

Pennsylvania. 
Rev.  Thomas  Winter,  Leverington. 
Rev.  Dr.  Estep,  Library  Post  Office. 
Rev.  J.  H.  Kennard,  D.  D.,  Phila. 
Rev.  Isaac  W.  Hayhurst,  Lewisburg. 
Rev.  W.  Shadrach,  D.  D.,  Phila. 
Rev.  Howard  Malcom,  D.  D.,  Lewisb'g- 
Rev.  D.  Williams,  Harrisburg. 
Rev.  J.  L.  Richmond,  Lewisburg. 

Delaware. 
Rev.  F.  Charlton,  Wilmington. 
Rev.  E.  R.  Hera,  Dover. 

>L\RYLAND. 

Rev.  Richard  Fuller,  D.  D.,  Baltimore. 
William  Crane,  Esq.,  " 

Rev.  J.  II.  Phillips,  Rehoboth. 

ViKGINIA. 

Rev.  Robert  Ryland,  D.  D..  Richm'd. 
Rev.  J.  B.  Taylor,  A.  M., 
Rev.  Lucius  A.  Alderson,  Palestine. 
Rev.  F.  M.  Barker,  Liberty. 

North  Carolina. 
Rev.  J.  B.  White,  Forest vilie. 

South  Carolina. 
Rev.  J.  R.  Kendrick,  Charleston. 
Rev.  Josiah  P.  Tustin.  Charleston. 

Georgia. 
Rev.    Henry  H.  Tucker,   La  Grange. 
Milton  E.  Bacon,  Esq.,  La  Grange. 
Rev.  John  E.  Dawson,  Columbus. 

Alabama. 
Rev.  John  L.  Dagg,  D.  D.,  Peutid  I. 


120 


CORRESPONDING    MEMBERS, 


Mississippi. 
Eev,  S.  S.  Lattimore,  Macon. 
Rev,  W.  H.  Holcombe,  Ripley. 

Louisiana. 
Rev.  "W.  C.  Duncan,  New  Orleans. 

Tennessee. 
Rev.  J.  R.  Graves,  Nashville. 

Kentucky. 

Rev.  S.  W.  Lynd,  D.  D.,  Covington. 

Ohio. 

Rev.  S.  W.  Adams,  D.  D.,  Cleveland. 
Rev.  Henry  Davis,  D.  D.,  Columbus. 

Indiana. 

Rev.  Silas  Bailey,  D.  D.,  President  of 
Franklin  College. 

Illinois. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Smith,  Chicago. 

Rev.  L.  Stone,  Chicago. 

Prof.  John  Russell,  Bluffdale.   ' 

Rev.  Ebeuezer  Rogers,  Upper  Alton. 

Rev.  John  Brown,  " 

Rev.  D.  L.  Phillips,  Jonesborough. 

Rev.  Thomas  Powell,  M.  Palatine. 

Rev.  S.  H.  Bundy,  Sarahville. 

Rev.  Frederick  Ketcham,  Rock  Island. ' 

Wisconsin. 

liyman  C.  Draper,  Esq.,  Madison. 

Michigan. 

Rev.  0.  C.  Comstock,  M.  D.,  Marshall. 
Rev.  J.  A.  B.  Stone,  D.  D.,  Kalamazoo. 

Minnesota. 
Rev.  T.  R.  Crcssy,  Cannon  City. 

Iowa. 
Rev.  George  J.  Johnson,  Burlington. 
Mr.  Joseph  T.  Fales,  Iowa  City. 

Arkansas. 
Rev.  S.  Stevenson,  Arkadelphia. 


Texas. 
Hon.  Sam  Houston,  U.  S.  Senator, 
Rev.  James  Huckins,  Galveston,, 

Florida. 

California. 

District  of  Columbia. 
Rev.  G.  W.  Samson,  Washington. 
Rev.  Joel  S.  Bacon,  D.  D.,    " 
John  S.  Meehan,  Esq.,  " 

Missouri. 

Rev.  W.  Crowell,  St.  Louis. 

Rev.  J.  E.  Welch,  Hickory  Grove. 

Rev.   Adiel    Sherwood,  D.   D.,   Cape 

Girardeau. 
Rev,  Robert  S.  Thomas,  President  of 

Wm.  Jewell  College. 
Wade  M.  Jackson,  Esq.,  Fayette. 
M.  F.  Price,  Esq.,  Lexington, 

England, 
Edward  Bean  Underhill.  Esq.,  London. 
Hon.  &  Rev.  B.  W.  Noel,  A.  M.,  Lou. 
Rev.  J.  H.  Hinton,  M.  A.,  London. 
Rev.  G.  W.  Fishbourne,  London. 
Rev.  B,  Evans,  Scarborough. 
Rev.  Samuel  Manning,  Frome. 

Scotland. 
Rev.  John  Watson,  Edinburgh. 

Wales. 

Rev.  T.  Thomas,  D.  D.,  President  of 
Pontypool  College. 

Rev.  Wm.  Roberts,  Blanau,  Monmouth- 
shire. 

Rev.  Hugh  Jones,  Carmaertheu. 

France. 
Rev.  E.  Willard,  Paris. 

Germany. 
Rev.  John  Gerhard  Oncken,  Hamburg. 

Sweden. 
Rev.  Andrew   Wiberg,  A.  M.,  Stock- 
holm 


Date  Due 


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